Leadership rivals say former mayor's candidacy invigorates New Democrats
Naheed Nenshi's entry into the Alberta NDP leadership race could expand the party's reach and has already invigorated it, say some of his new rivals.
But at the same time, they question his ability to deliver the seats they need to win the next election.
“Will Nenshi's entry into the race grow the party? I think it will,” said Edmonton MLA Rakhi Pancholi, who's among six candidates vying to replace Leader Rachel Notley.
“He does have big name recognition and a lot of people are excited … a lot of people are getting engaged.”
But at the same time, she wonders how the man who served as Calgary's mayor from 2010 to 2021 will make a breakthrough in rural areas and in smaller cities, where the NDP currently holds only two seats.
“I haven't heard anything yet on how he'd address that, though I know Calgary is his strong base of support,” said Pancholi.
On Monday, Nenshi fulfilled the expectations of many by announcing he's seeking the Alberta NDP'S top job.
He dubbed himself an underdog due to his late entry into the contest.
But Nenshi's high profile means he's no underdog, said Edmonton-whitemud MLA Pancholi.
“His reach and name recognition doesn't make him into an underdog,” she said.
But Nenshi's presence abruptly sparked an uptick of donations to her campaign from supporters awakened by the challenge he poses, she said.
Leadership hopeful Sarah Hoffman said Nenshi's announcement had a similar effect on her campaign.
“I definitely sold memberships on Monday for people who want to make sure a New Democrat leads the NDP,” said Hoffman, MLA for Edmonton-glenora, who regards herself as the keeper of the party's traditional values.
Nenshi, she said, will attract those who want to alter what the party stands for.
“If you want a change candidate with no connection to Rachel Notley, he's your candidate. If you want an NDPER leading the NDP, I'm your girl,” said Hoffman.
She now sees the contest as a race between him and her, partly by edging out the other Calgary-based hopeful, Kathleen Ganley.
Nenshi has the capability to grow the Alberta NDP, said Ganley, by adding excitement to the race.
“Nenshi has a lot of supporters, it's whether or not he can convince them to buy memberships,” said the Calgary-mountain View MLA.
“Honestly, I'm excited to see more people come forward … every candidate who comes forward is great.”
She said the party counted 7,000 to 8,000 members before the end of 2023, when that number temporarily dipped from a lack of immediate renewals.
Many people have since renewed their $10 memberships, she said, or been attracted by the leadership race that began Feb. 5 and ends June 22.
This leadership contest is set to be the largest in the party's history and the first since it formed government in 2015. The party's last leadership contest came in 2014 when it had just four MLAS, and fewer than 4,000 ballots were cast.
Some of Nenshi's rivals said he brings both advantages and negative baggage from his three terms as mayor.
“He has the potential to win some Calgary seats for us by (a larger margin) but we can also lose some,” said Hoffman.
Pancholi said she disagrees with some in the party and outside it that a Calgary-based leader is crucial in winning that decisive battleground.
“We didn't lose the last election because of the postal code of the leader — people want to see a leader that'll reflect the opportunities and interests of Calgarians,” she said.
Calgarians Heather and Jim Turner say they'll purchase party memberships for the first time so they can vote for Nenshi.
“I liked him as our mayor and I believe he is a strong candidate who can stand up to the UCP and win,” said Heather Turner, who's voted NDP in the past two elections.
“I also think he would do a great job and stop these endless battles with Ottawa … we need some intelligence in government.”
Nenshi's campaign didn't provide comment, but on Monday their candidate said he has the ability to expand the party's reach.
Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil Mcgowan, who's also thrown his hat into the ring, said he's battling COVID-19 and chose not to comment.
Edmonton-rutherford MLA Jodi Calahoo-stonehouse's campaign also didn't comment.