Fitzpatrick to seek re-election
LETHBRIDGE EAST MLA TO SEEK NDP NOMINATION ON MAY 6
The next provincial election is a year away. But a Lethbridge MLA is one of the first in southern Alberta to announce she’s running for reelection.
Maria Fitzpatrick, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge East, says she’ll be asking for the New Democratic Party’s nomination at a constituency meeting May 6.
“When I put in for nomination in 2015, I committed to running for two terms,” she said in an interview.
She also committed to continue hearing constituents’ concerns, Fitzpatrick said. So she’s continued door-knocking visits throughout the riding since her election.
“I think I’m doing a pretty good job of it,” she added.
The first-time NDP government has improved life for many Albertans, Fitzpatrick observed. “We’re making headway on a lot of issues.” As an example, the MLA said she spoke in the legislature earlier this week on the importance of allowing parents to bequeath funds to support an adult special-needs son or daughter — a government initiative that would stop disrupting benefits from AISH or similar programs. “I think we’re moving Alberta along.” Fitzpatrick confirmed she has filed papers with Elections Alberta, confirming her intention to seek a second nomination. In 2015, she claimed a firstballot victory in a three-way nomination contest for local NDP members’ endorsement.
She and Lethbridge West candidate Shannon Phillips went on to win election later that year as the New Democrats formed their first government in Alberta.
Lethbridge East had been an Alberta Liberal party stronghold for many years, but switched to Progressive Conservative ranks — along with previously Liberal MLA Bridget Pastoor — in the 2012 provincial election.