CHESTERMERE – Former Global Calgary news anchor and Chestermere resident Bruce McAllister has officially announced that he will be running as the Wildrose candidate in the new riding of Chestermere – Rocky View. Accompanied by former candidate and local councillor Heather Davies, current MLA Rob Anderson as well as Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, McAllister made the announcement during a brief press conference at the Chestermere Public Library on Oct. 14.
McAllister said that being involved in politics is something that he feels he’s been called to do for some time, but said that restrictions with his former employer prevented him from being involved sooner.
“I couldn’t take the political decision on until my former role was complete,” he said. “So I took some time, I talked to my inner-circle, and decided to go for it.
“So, it took a lot of thought, but it was always very close to the surface.”
Heather Davies, who announced back in March that she would be running for Wildrose, said that she has revoked her candidacy due to personal reasons. However, she will be sitting on McAllister’s board and working with him throughout his campaign.
“We have a great campaign to run,” Davies said. “We’re going to hit the ground running, we are going to win this riding for Wildrose.
“It’s not an option, we’re going to do it.”
Danielle Smith took the time to thank Davies for initially stepping up, saying that they were sorry to lose her, but were glad that she will be working on the campaign for the area’s new candidate.
“The local constituency board and Heather had met to talk about how we might be able to find a replacement for her, which is very difficult to do with the community work that she has done,” she said. “But I think that they have found a worthy replacement in Bruce McAllister.”
Smith said that McAllister has demonstrated that he is willing to go the extra mile for the community through his involvement in various local events.
“I’m so delighted that he is going to be part of the Wildrose team and I look forward to working with him for many, many years, especially in an elected role after the next election,” she said.
McAllister himself said that he has decided to go after a career in politics for the “purest of reasons” and that he is passionate about doing things better for Chestermere and Rocky View.
“I’ve always had a passion for politics and policy, and I think we can do better than we’re doing right now,” he said. “I think that I, in the role of MLA, can make a difference, and will make a difference in this riding.”
McAllister said during the press conference that he wants to “stand up for the people and with the people of Chestermere – Rocky View, and take their ideas and concerns to Edmonton.”
He said, “It seems to me right now that it’s the other way around, that Edmonton decides what it wants to do in cabinet and brings that to the people.
“I can guarantee you that this riding will be on the map in Edmonton because I will be representing it, and doing my best to bring our needs to front and centre.”
For more information and Bruce McAllister and his Wildrose campaign, go to www.electbruce.ca.
