Photo: Courtesy of the Macleod Gazette
The Alberta Liberal Party is now in the market for a new leader. Raj Sherman (pictured) has announced today he will not be running in the next provincial election, saying he wants to return to private life. And as such, he would like to see the party to see a new leader in place before the writ is dropped. Sherman was first elected as the MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark in 2008 as a Tory. He was booted from the PC Caucus two years later for criticizing the government on emergency waiting room times. He was elected leader of the Liberals in 2011, and was elected to a second term as an MLA in 2012. During that provincial election, he led the party to five seats, dropping official opposition status to the Wildrose Party. His departure means none of the party leaders running in 2012 are on the job today. The party will be meeting in Calgary on Sunday to both appoint an interim leader and decide when to hold a leadership race.
Sherman’s resignation comes on the heals of more resignations from the PCs. Longtime Red Deer North MLA Mary Ann Jablonski has also announced she will not be running for reelection. Jablonski was first elected to the legislature in a 2000 byelection, and has served as Seniors minister under former premier Ed Stelmach. Also, Battle River Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths has resigned his seat, effective today. He was first elected in 2002, and served in both the Municipal Affairs and Service Alberta portfolios under Alison Redford before being dumped by current Premier Jim Prentice. These two resignations follow similar moves made by former ministers Doug Horner and Fred Horne late last week.
Two other announcements of note were made today. Former Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta Director Derek Fildebrandt has announced he will be seeing the Wildrose nomination for Strathmore-Brooks. This riding is currently held by Wildrose-turned-Tory MLA Jason Hale. As well, former Wildrose MLA Joe Anglin is running for the PC nomination in his Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre constituency. Anglin has been sitting as an independent since leaving the Wildrose caucus since November.
– Posted by BET
