The Alberta Party leadership race is being credited for some huge growth in party support. Last December there was around 1,600 active members but at the cut off for voting eligibility in February membership had grown to more than 6,500.
Last week, former Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel won the leadership race with 66 per cent of the vote. President of the Vermilion Lloydminster Constituency Association Gary Etherington says that Mandel has a good sense of what is needed in Alberta today.
“I think Mr. Mandel has a lot of experience both with government and also with team building and will be a very good leader.
The Alberta Party for the Lloydminster Vermilion area hasn’t been recruiting members as of late according to Etherington because they are uncertain about their own future. However, he says that the current political landscape needs a middle ground.
“Albertan’s are looking for a fiscally responsible government, but also one that is very much in touch with the needs for maintaining the infrastructure.”
He adds that Mandel will visit the Lloydminster area in the upcoming weeks, but dates are not confirmed.
With articles from Tricia Kindleman