Nenshi leads in NDP caucus endorsements as rivals vow to fight on
C A LG ARY A week before a membership deadline, former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi is drawing crowds and is leading in NDP caucus endorsements — but his rivals are far from ready to concede.
While no one within the party was providing figures for NDP memberships sold by each of the five campaigns, Nenshi's ability to sell them soon after entering the race last month far outdistanced other hopefuls and convinced onetime candidate — Edmonton MLA Rakhi Pancholi — to drop out and support him.
At the time, she claimed Nenshi had doubled the party's membership count, which stood at 16,224 as of last Dec. 31.
And the Calgarian also counts the endorsements of nine current NDP caucus members — one more than rival Calgary hopeful Kathleen Ganley, while Edmonton MLA Sarah Hoffman has tallied four.
Edmonton MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse counts two caucus endorsements while Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan has none.
Nenshi's campaign didn't respond to a request for comment by mid-afternoon Monday, but on X, formerly Twitter, the candidate touted two full houses over the weekend at his events in Lethbridge and Red Deer.
“The support keeps growing and the sense of togetherness brings so much hope,” posted Nenshi from Red Deer.
He also trumpeted the latest caucus endorsement — Calgary- Glenmore MLA Nagwan Al- Guneid.
But his rivals say they remain in it to win, with Ganley insisting her campaign has been picking up momentum.
“I believe we sold the most memberships of anyone last week ... we're selling thousands online and in paper copies and that feels pretty solid,” said Ganley.
“I've got a lot of respect for Naheed, he's a big name, but it's not a sure thing for anyone.”
Ganley contrasted her campaign with Nenshi's, saying the latter has yet to offer detailed policy positions.
“The power of ideas will ultimately win the day,” she said.
It's likely, she said, that a candidate from Calgary will win the race.
There are many undecideds that her campaign is targeting with platforms that focus on affordability, from offering public auto insurance to ensuring power rates are lower, said Ganley.
Hoffman continued to attack Nenshi's NDP bona fides, suggesting he's not a team player who would exit the scene if he fails to win the leadership.
“People understand I'll be building the party for decades to come — I'm not a newcomer,” said Hoffman.
“I'm feeling great when I'm travelling across the province; I'm going to win.”
Her focus on climate change, housing and health care and public solutions on those issues have been resonating.
On Tuesday, she was in Calgary to unveil a health-care policy that includes hiring 1,000 new doctors and up to 3,000 clinical assistants, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Nenshi has said if he doesn't win the leadership, his remaining in party ranks would depend on what role he's given within the NDP by the winning candidate.
But in a written message, McGowan conceded Nenshi's “way out in front, there's a good chance he'll win on the first ballot. But if he doesn't, surprising things could happen.”
And he said the NDP should play to the reality most Albertans are progressive on many issues, which could be more of a winning hand than most realize.
Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi, one of Calahoo Stonehouse's two caucus supporters, said the candidate's commitment to tackling Alberta's water shortage during the climate change crisis deserves wider backing.
“She's focusing on water and working with communities on water-based solutions,” Elmeligi, a wildlife biologist, said in an endorsement video.
“She is so passionate and full of vigour not only in displacing the UCP from power but in building a progressive movement that will last a long time.”
Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said Nenshi will be virtually impossible to beat.
“(It'll be) Nenshi on first ballot,” he said in an email.
The race's first leaders' debate will be held April 25 in Lethbridge, with a second in Calgary on May 11.
A new leader to succeed Rachel Notley will be chosen June 22.