Alderman acclaimed as Tory candidate in Calgary Glenmore

A Calgary alderman was acclaimed Thursday as the Conservative candidate for an upcoming provincial byelection.

Diane Colley-Urquhart, who has represented Ward 13 for the past nine years, was the only person interested in running for the party in the southwest riding of Calgary Glenmore. The seat was vacated by former MLA Ron Stevens, who has been appointed an Alberta Court of Queen's Bench judge.

Premier Ed Stelmach has six months to call the vote but has indicated it likely won't happen until September or October. Colley-Urquhart said she will continue with her city hall duties, but take a leave of absence once the by-election is called.

The Tories won all but five of Calgary's 23 ridings in the last election. But Colley-Urquhart is vowing a full-out campaign, starting now even if voting day is months away.

"We're looking for campaign office space and we want to open the office immediately. We have a motorhome so our goal is to try and knock on every door in Calgary Glenmore."

Colley-Urquhart said she expects a dogfight and would like to have Stelmach join her in knocking on a few of those doors.

Corey Hogan has said he will run for the Liberals and Paul Hinman is among those interested in running for the Wildrose Alliance. The Alberta Social Credit party has announced thatleader Len Skowronski will also run.

The president of the Conservative riding association inCalgary Glenmore, Troy Parker, said he is glad they have a candidate in place ahead of the other parties in the legislature.

"We've always been ones to make sure that we are prepared for any battle that we need to go forward for and the sooner we can get ready and the sooner that we know where we stand, all the better once the premier drops the writ."