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UCP riding candidates square off in Stettler

Three vying to be UCP candidate
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The three UCP candidates seeking the nomination for the riding of Drumheller-Stetter, are, from left, Nate Horner, Todd Pawsey and incumbent Rick Strankman debate in Stettler Sept. 18.. On the right is moderator Leona Thorogood. (Kevin J Sabo photo)

By Kevin J Sabo

For the Independent

The Stettler Legion played host to a United Conservative Party of Alberta candidate debate on Sept. 19, which saw more than 100 people attend.

Three candidates are seeking the nomination in the riding of Drumheller - Stettler in the upcoming provincial election. According to Alberta law, Premier Rachel Notley must call an election sometime between March 1 and May 31, 2019. The upcoming election is one that Jason Kenney and his UCP are heavily favoured to win according to recent polls.

Prior to the election, several ridings around the province are holding a vote to determine who is going to represent them in the Alberta Legislature.

In the Drumheller - Stettler riding, Todd Pawsey of Paintearth County, Nate Horner of Pollockville, and current MLA Rick Strankman of Altario are all vying for the nomination, which party members will voting on Sept. 27 to 29.

During the hour and a half session, each of the three candidates were given three minutes for opening statements, given a minute each to respond during the question and answer component, then another five minutes each for closing statements. The questions were all submitted in writing before the event and vetted by a three-person committee, which featured a representative from each candidate.

The questions, which were moderated by Leona Thorogood asked the candidate’s stance on the minimum wage hike, the carbon tax, balancing the budget, seniors needs and health care.

The debate didn’t appear to generate any clear front-runner for the nomination, according to some in attendance.

The riding nomination vote will be held in Stettler on Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the venue yet to be determined. Polling stations will be held in Provost, Coronation, Drumheller, Oyen and Hanna in-between Sept. 27 and 29.

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Candidate Todd Pawsey at the riding debate in Stettler on Sept. 18. (Kevin J Sabo photo)
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MLA Rick Strankman at the riding debate in Stettler on Sept. 18. (Kevin J Sabo photo)
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Candidate Nate Horner at the riding debate in Stettler on Sept. 18. (Kevin J Sabo photo)