Claresholm man wins UCP nomination

ROGER REID FIRST-BALLOT WINNER OVER TWO OTHER CONTENDERS

A Claresholm businessman will contest the Livingstone-Macleod constituency for the United Conservative Party.

Roger Reid, operator of Tim Hortons locations in Nanton and Claresholm, won a first-ballot victory after two days of voting.

Reid, the only contender who lives in the riding, was a founding member of its new organization following the merger of the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties.

Unofficial results show he received 481 votes compared to 225 for Lethbridge resident Nathan Neudorf and 169 for Thomas Schneider from Okotoks.

The ballots were counted Saturday in High River, after party officials took ballot boxes to Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, Nanton and Claresholm over a two-day period.

Reid becomes the constituency’s third candidate nominated for the provincial election next spring. The Alberta Liberals have named Dylan Houser as their candidate, while the Alberta Party has selected Tim Meech.

The current MLA, Pat Stier, was elected under the Wildrose banner. He decided against running for reelection. Reid, a graduate of a Bible college in Camrose, spent a number of years in youth ministry and church-related activity in three provinces before changing careers to become a graphic designer in 1996. His later career moves include time as a flight attendant with WestJet and a media design instructor at Mount Royal College.

In Claresholm, he has served as chair of the local hospital’s philanthropic foundation.

“Roger is a committed conservative and an accomplished entrepreneur,” party leader Jason Kenney said, while thanking the contestants.

“As owner and operator of two Tim Hortons franchises in the constituency, Roger understands the challenges faced by small business owners in the province.”