A political science student is running for the NDP in Spruce Grove-St. Albert.
St. Albert resident Trevor Horne, 24, said he has stepped up to run for the NDP in the riding because he’s concerned about some of the Progressive Conservative party’s latest practices.
“I feel the NDP is showing leadership on matters that affect families quite a bit, particularly health care, education, fair tax changes,” Horne said, adding he feels NDP leader Rachel Notley advocates effectively for those changes.
He’s been an NDP member since 2011, but has increased his involvement since Notley started running for leader of the party.
The fourth-year MacEwan student said he has policy experience, and said outside of big banner items such as health care and education, he’s particularly interested in urban issues.
Those issues include transit, infrastructure and the relationship between the provincial government and municipalities.
“I would like to see a bit more for the cities,” Horne said about the recently released 2015 budget. While some of the funding is secure for cities, he said that there’s a need for more as the municipalities face infrastructure challenges.
A provincial election is generally believed to be likely called within the next few weeks now that the government has introduced its budget.
However, Spruce Grove-St. Albert riding will require a byelection if a general election is not called since long-time MLA Doug Horner resigned at the end of January, leaving his seat vacant.
Whenever the election or byelection is called, Horne will be running against PC candidate Rus Matichuk, Alberta Party candidate Gary Hanna and Wildrose candidate Jaye Walter in Spruce Grove-St. Albert.
The provincial political parties are continuing to line up candidates in anticipation of a general election, and the ballot contents are becoming clearer in the other three local ridings.
In the Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock riding, incumbent PC MLA Maureen Kubinec will be running against Tristan Turner, who will carry the NDP standard, and Wildrose’s candidate Glenn van Dijken.
In Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater, incumbent PC MLA Jeff Johnson will be facing Travis Olson for the Wildrose and the NDP will have Colin Piquette on the ballot.
In St. Albert, the Alberta Party’s Trevor Love and the NDP’s Marie Renaud are challenging incumbent PC MLA Stephen Khan. The Wildrose Party opened its nomination in this riding on March 18.
