In the Spruce Grove-St. Albert riding none of Doug Horner's challengers are concerned about facing off against the former candidate for the provincial Conservative leadership.
Horner, now contesting his fourth campaign, gained a broader public profile last year when he ran for the Progressive Conservative leadership, eventually coming in third.
Wildrose candidate Travis Hughes said Horner's profile carries with it plenty of baggage.
"I think there is always a challenge when running against an incumbent, but the decisions that this government has made are stuck to him as well," he said. "He is linked to everything the government has done and he will have to answer for everything."
NDP candidate and Lutheran minister Rev J.J. Trudeau admits beating Horner will be an uphill battle, but says Horner still represents a government that needs to be changed.
"It certainly is a challenge and he is well placed in the Conservative party and I just think it is time for a change."
Liberal candidate Chris Austin, who has run as a federal Liberal in the last two elections, says the PC party no longer holds the support it once did.
"I don't think it will be as much of a challenge as it was in the past, I think a lot of people are looking for change."
Horner, who won his last election with nearly 60 per cent of the vote, said he doesn't allow himself to be overconfident.
"I always run like I am behind. I have done that in all three elections," he said. "We are not taking anything for granted. I try to door knock every year not just before elections."
It's about choice
Horner argues the election will be about a choice for the province.
"I think it is going to be the difference between a positive vision for where Alberta can be and what we can be in the future versus fear and anger."
He said his party is offering that positive vision and he believes Albertans will respond.
"I really believe that Albertans respond to a positive outlook and what it is we want to do."
Hughes, who works in information technology with the provincial government, said his party is not about fear and anger and is offering a real choice.
"We want to bring in a balanced budget, we want to enhance our economic prosperity in Alberta, improve democracy and by listening to Albertans and not dictating to them we think we can address the true needs of Alberta families."
He said on the doorsteps he hears most about the province's big-ticket items.
"There were probably three main issues and these are pretty typical of an urban setting and that is health care, education and then I am sure the deficit budgets and the overspending will come up."
Trudeau said she got into the race because she doesn't believe Albertans are being heard.
"The whole issue is both listening and hearing and then acting on what you have heard."
She said with the immense wealth Albertans have under the ground there is no need for public services to be threatened with cuts and restraint.
"All of these things that are being raised as a crisis of funding really could be taken care if there were decent royalties being given."
She said if the province got a proper share from the natural resource wealth it could do a lot more.
"We could renew our rainy day fund and schools wouldn't be fighting to have their roofs repaired."
Austin, a military police officer, said the biggest issue he hears about is health care and it concerns everyone.
"It is pretty much every section of society, but a lot of people have concerns, especially seniors."
The Liberals are calling on tax increases on large corporations and those making more than $100,000, which Austin said is a balanced and sensible solution.
"Our initiative is change, we are willing to make the changes that are smarter and that are going to be workable within the tax structure."
In St. Albert, the Spruce Grove-St. Albert riding encompasses the area north of McKenney Avenue and west of St. Albert Trail. It also includes the communities of Villeneuve, Calahoo and the Alexander First Nation.
