Reid to seek nomination in Livingstone-Macleod

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
Roger Reid, the current MLA for Livingstone-Macleod, will seek the United Conservative Party nomination for the next provincial election, amid an announcement he will face some stiff competition for the nomination.
On April 1, Danielle Smith announced she will be seeking the party’s nomination in Livingstone-Macleod leading up to the next provincial election.
Smith, who has been a school board trustee, MLA and leader of Alberta’s official opposition, as well as a current affairs radio personality, is currently president of the Alberta Enterprise Group.
She also plans to seek the party leadership should that position become available in the future.
Reid issued a statement to the Local Press indicating he will be seeking the nomination in Livingstone-Macleod.
“Open, grassroots nominations are the strength of the United Conservative Party,” Reid said. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to represent the people of Livingstone-Macleod in the legislature for the last three years and I look forward to a rigorous nomination process in the coming months.
“I have worked hard to ensure my efforts have been characterized with integrity and a commitment to be the voice of the people of Livingstone-Macleod.
“I will run in this nomination with the same integrity and dedication to representing those same people.
“I do believe the best campaign is characterized by hard work and honesty.”
Smith, who is from High River, represented the Highwood riding when she was an MLA.
However, through electoral boundary re-distribution, High River moved from the Highwood riding to Livingstone-Macleod for the 2019 election.
Smith said, in making her announcement, she had several reasons for running.
She acknowledged Livingstone-Macleod is a large riding and she hopes to be a strong local voice for the issues in the riding.
She consulted with people in the riding about seeking the nomination and received positive feedback.
Smith was also disappointed with the party’s move to a mail-in ballot for the party’s leadership review, when she believes an in-person vote is the best approach.
She was also distressed, she said, about Premier Jason Kenney’s harsh language to describe members of his own party who have expressed concern over serious issues. He has characterized those critics as extremists, bigots, lunatics and more.
No date or process has yet been announced to determine the party’s nominee in Livingstone-Macleod for the next provincial election.