Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Dr. Richard Starke is still considering running for re-election. Starke has represented his constituency since 2012 and is in no rush to announce his decision for the 2019 Alberta election.
“It has not been something that is occupying my any of my consideration. I’ve been very busy looking after all the things an MLA has to look after. I haven’t made any decisions about the next election at this point and in due course, I will.”
Starke ran to be the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party last year but was beaten by Jason Kenney. The PC’s and the Wildrose Party merged into the current United Conservative Party and as of late, there are six people running for a party nomination for the Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright constituency.
Starke currently holds a seat in the Alberta Legislature for the riding and has not yet announced if he will be throwing his hat in the ring again.
He says his view on politics is that there is a lot of partisanship and that holds a lot of people back from governing and doing their job.
“The election is over the next day and at that point, the 87 MLA’s that are elected are charged with the responsibility of working together to govern the province. In my view as long as we’re as partisan as many are that doesn’t happen very well.”
Eileen Taylor, Darrel Howell, Danny Hozack, Garth Rowswell and Ben Acquaye are all seeking a nomination for the UCP in the Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright riding.