Lawyer first to announce bid for leadership

Calgary lawyer Kara Levis is the first person to throw her hat into the ring for the leadership of the Alberta Party.

Levis announced her bid Monday in Edmonton.

Thanking former leader Greg Clark for his work, Levis said she is poised to bring the vision of the party to every Alberta doorstep. That vision, she said, is based on values, not ideology, and is about bringing forward something to vote for, not against.

Sustainability, health care, fiscal responsibility and government transparency are all on Levis’ radar as she seeks leadership.

FIRST FORAY IN SPOTLIGHT

Levis has run a number of campaigns for the federal Liberal party and local Calgary elections, but this is her first foray into the political spotlight.

Much as former leader Clark did in the wake of the creation of the United Conservative Party, Levis pegged her party as the alternative in the polarized field of Alberta politics.

“My campaign is about making the choices that are right for this province, not the choices right for politics,” she said.

Levis wants to see the Alberta Party have more than 150 nominated candidates in the 2019 election.

“The sign of a healthy party is excitement around nominations, and this goal will mean that we’ll continue to be building into 2019 and beyond,” she said.

Levis is the first person to step forward to challenge for the helm of the Alberta Party, after Clark resigned Nov. 8.

She and her husband live in Calgary with their three daughters.