Byelection battleground set for Regina Northeast

The province’s two major political parties now have candidates nominated and set to run in a pending Regina Northeast byelection.

The seat was held by former Saskatchewan Party MLA and finance Minister Kevin Doherty until he quit politics in March.

Gary Grewal won the Sask. Party nomination Thursday, beating out Gwen Tremblay, the executive director of Sofia House, and presumptive party favourite.

The first-time candidate will be competing with the NDP’s Yens Pedersen for the seat. Pedersen won the nomination on May 2.

Some polls have indicated the Sask. Party may be in tough to win seats in Regina come the next election. The Northeast byelection, which has not yet been called, will act as a gauge for the parties on where they stand heading into the next general vote.

Grewal said he chose to run because he has been “a great fan of the Saskatchewan Party since it started in 1997.”

Grewal says he has visited “most of the houses in the constituency” and so far has received “more positive feedback than negative.”

“People are still loving the party and are still going to come out and support the party in a big way,” he added.

Pedersen tried becoming an MLA, in a different riding, in 2007 and 2011; but he lost both times. He also had a failed bid for the NDP leadership in 2009.

“At this point in time, what I’m observing is people are upset with cuts to public services,” he said, adding families are noticing those cuts directly and it is creating a sentiment there is a need for change in government.

The byelection is also a litmus test for the still-new leaders of the Sask. Party and NDP.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili was elected almost immediately after the last round of byelections, which saw the Sask. Party retain three seats.

With a few months tenure as leader now under his belt, this will be the first true NDP campaign with Meili at the helm.

For Premier Scott Moe, the byelection will offer a tangible test of how he is being perceived by voters — particularly urban ones — since the government delivered its first budget with him as premier.

It is apparent both parties are aware of what is at stake. Political organizers are expecting significant resources will be spent on the byelection and it is likely each candidate will spend the maximum amount allowed on their campaigns.