The race to elect a Conservative Party candidate in the newly formed Bow River riding for the expected 2015 federal election is becoming very interesting.
Up until last week only Brooks Mayor Martin Shields had declared his intent to run for the conservative nomination.
"I heard Rob Anders (Calgary West MP since 1997) was going to take a run in Bow River and I don’t think a lot of people here want him as their representative," Shields said in announcing his intention to seek the nomination in the riding.
And that’s exactly what happened. On July 30, Anders announced his intention to seek the nomination in Bow River in an interview with the National Post. It was long rumoured Anders was selling memberships in the riding, but repeated e-mails and messages to him asking if he is seeking nomination in Bow River, were not returned.
Anders became politically homeless in April after losing the Tory nomination in the riding of Calgary Signal Hill to Ron Liepert, a former Alberta Progressive Conservative cabinet minister. He has been a centre of controversy for a number of inflammatory comments and for falling asleep during a veterans affairs committee meeting. Anders says he now is living in Chestermere.
Unlike Anders, Rolly Ashdown, former Reeve of Rocky View County and current Division 4
Councillor made his announcement in the riding. He announced his intent to seek the conservative nomination on July 31.
"I am looking forward to meeting all of the residents in the newly formed riding of Bow River. My goal is to be out there listening and finding solutions for residents’ concerns. I want to hear about families, employment, agriculture, commerce, I want to genuinely connect with people within their communities." said Ashdown. "I have conservative values and believe strongly in the Conservative Party of Canada and would be honoured to be selected as the Candidate to advocate on issues and promote opportunities for the Bow River riding," he said in a press release.
Ashdown was the Electoral District Association (EDA) president and stepped down on July 26. He lives in Langdon.
Also from Langdon, Gerard Lucyshyn, a Mount Royal University professor, declared his intent to seek the riding nomination in Chestermere on July 26.
Lucyshyn and Ashdown are already political competitors. Lucyshyn lost to Ashdown in Rocky View County during the last municipal elections.
Shields is already campaigning to win the nomination. The three-time Mayor of Brooks and career educator considers himself to be a consensus builder.
It is anticipated the Bow River Conservative Party of Canada EDA will officially run its nomination this fall. Anyone interested in voting in the nomination selection must have a part membership in good standing for at least 21 days. Memberships can be purchased on line.
