Tochor quits as Speaker, eyes bid for Trost’s job
Conservative MP Brad Trost may soon face additional competition for his job.
Sask. Party MLA Corey Tochor has stepped down from his role as Speaker of the province’s Legislative Assembly to consider challenging the incumbent federal Tory for the nomination in the Saskatoon-University constituency.
While Tochor told reporters Friday that he will take the weekend to decide whether he will officially announce his challenge, his subsequent statements seemed to make clear his intentions.
“It’s ultimately going to be up to the members of Saskatoon-University, if they do want a change,” he said. “There has been too many people that have said there should be at least an option for Corey Tochor to be the candidate.”
An MLA since 2011, Tochor was chosen as the Speaker in May 2016. He will remain in his position as an elected MLA for the time being.
When asked what would set him apart from Trost, he said: “I think I bring a fresh view on what it is to be a representative. I bring a principled stance on who I am and my beliefs.”
Were he to resign his position as an MLA, he said he would not be concerned about his party losing his seat in a byelection.
“I think they would have a very good shot at keeping that seat, because in government we’ve done a lot of good things.”
Tochor would not be the first to step into the ring with Trost. Brad Redekopp, a Saskatoon-area businessman and political operative, announced his own intention to challenge the incumbent earlier this week.
When asked whether his becoming a third option for the party could split the anti-Trost sentiment and hand the nomination to the incumbent, Tochor responded: “I’m representing myself.”
“I have a track record of accomplishments,” he added, noting that he looks forward to the race.