Calgary Herald

Kelly aims to replace Ablonczy in new federal seat

- DARCY HENTON CALGARY HERALD DHENTON@CALGARYHER­ALD.COM

Patrick Kelly is vying to replace retiring Calgary MP Diane Ablonczy in the new federal riding of Calgary Rocky Ridge in the city’s northwest.

Kelly, 43, who serves on Ablonczy’s constituen­cy associatio­n board, said Wednesday he has a passion for politics inspired by former Alberta Tory premier Peter Lougheed and historical figures such as prime minister John A. Macdonald and British prime minister Winston Churchill.

“I have a lifetime fascinatio­n with Canadian institutio­ns,” said Kelly, who was on the constituen­cy founding board in 2004 after the Conservati­ve Party of Canada arose from the merger between the Canadian Alliance and federal Progressiv­e Conservati­ve parties.

“I have lived in the riding for most of my life,” he said. “I think I have a pretty good feel for the people in the riding. I can represent their views and listen to what they have to say and bring that voice to Ottawa.”

With a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Calgary, Kelly said he believes he has “the judgment and experience and the academic understand­ing to be an effective representa­tive.”

Kelly said he served on Ablonczy’s constituen­cy board intermitte­ntly over the past decade and worked on several of her election campaigns, as well as the campaigns of former provincial Progressiv­e Conservati­ve cabinet ministers Greg Melchin and Lindsay Blackett.

Kelly, who is married with three children, has also served on the Real Estate Council of Alberta. He was raised in the Silver Springs area and has resided in Ranchlands for two decades.

The Calgary Rocky Ridge riding comprises parts of Calgary-West and Calgary Nose Hill federal ridings held by Ablonczy and Rob Anders. Anders, 42, a six-term MP, lost the nomination in the newly formed riding of Calgary Signal Hill to former provincial finance minister Ron Liepert in April and has not indicated whether he will seek a Conservati­ve nomination in another riding.

 ??  ?? Patrick Kelly
Patrick Kelly

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