Alberta Party MLA endorses Fraser leadership bid
Rick Fraser’s bid to lead the Alberta Party has received a birthday gift from a fellow Calgary MLA.
Karen McPherson, the party’s MLA for Calgary-McKay-Nose Hill, has thrown her support behind the one-time UCP and PC politician.
The news came Tuesday on Fraser’s 46th birthday.
“I was proud of her taking a principled stand when she left the government caucus and I’m proud to stand next to her in the legislature now as Alberta Party MLAs,” said Fraser.
“This is one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received.”
Both politicians crossed the floor to sit with the Alberta Party — McPherson leaving the NDP in October 2017, and Fraser the UCP shortly after its creation last year.
In endorsing Fraser, McPherson echoed one of the leadership candidate’s reasons for exiting the UCP.
“I know from talking to my constituents that polarizing politics are alienating Albertans, and our province needs a strong and principled centrist option to oppose in the next provincial election,” she said.
“I believe that under Rick’s leadership, the Alberta Party will be that option for Albertans who reject the politics of dogma and anger.”
Other candidates in the race are Calgary oilpatch lawyer Kara Levis and former Edmonton mayor and PC cabinet minister Stephen Mandel.
The party’s leadership will be decided from Feb. 25 to 27 with an online vote.