Conservatives win majority; Petrovic cruises to victory

By Rob Vogt
The meteoric rise of Chelsae Petrovic continued as the sitting mayor of Claresholm won the riding of Livingstone-Macleod and her United Conservative Party won government in Monday night’s provincial election.
“I’m extremely excited for the next four years to work for all of you,” she told a gathering of supporters at Douros Pizza on election night, May 29.
Petrovic received 16,477 votes, ahead of Kevin Van Tighem of the Alberta New Democratic Party who received 6,488 votes.
Kevin Todd of the Alberta Party was third with 977 votes; Corrie Toone of the Independence Party finished fourth with 352 votes; Dylin Houser of the Alberta Liberal Party was fifth with 194 votes; and Independent candidate Erik Abildgaard finished sixth with 129 votes.
“I’m so thankful,” Petrovic said, describing the last five months as a job interview. “Thank you so much for hiring me.”
Provincially, the United Conservative Party won 49 seats to form a majority government, while the NDP we will form the official opposition with 38 seats. A total of 44 seats was needed for a majority.
Petrovic said in an interview later in the evening she was happy her party had won a majority government.
The major issue facing her constituents is health care which, as a nurse, is close to her heart.
“I think there’s a lot of work to be done,” she said, adding she will work to find solutions.
Petrovic recognized how geographically large the riding of Livingstone-Macleod is, so she plans to do a lot of driving to stay connected with her constituents.
Her first job though is to set up a constituency office. She is still deciding where to locate her office, but will choose a location that makes best use of her time and gives her the best access to those she represents.
“I’d like to get to work tomorrow,” she said.
When asked, with the defeat of several cabinet ministers, if she will be tapped on the shoulder for a cabinet position, she said that will be up to Premier Danielle Smith.
“Ultimately, that’s up to someone other than myself,” Petrovic said.
She also congratulated all the candidates who ran in Livingstone-Macleod for the time and effort they put in, and the courage for putting their name on the ballot.
“I commend them,” she said.
The results were still sinking in Monday night for Petrovic as she greeted friends, family and supporters.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “I’m humbled the people have chosen me to represent them.”