John Barlow, wins Tory nomination in Macleod

The editor of the Okotoks Western Wheel could soon bein Ottawa if a byelectiongoes his way.

John Barlow won the Conservative Party nomination in the federal riding of Macleod on Saturday night. Ted Menzies resigned as MP for the riding in November and a byelectionwill take place soon but Barlowsays he won't be taking anything for granted even though the seat is one of Canada's Tory strongholds.

"The nomination was difficult and trying and maybe most people will say this was the hardest part," said Barlow. "That may be true but I still have to make sure everyone in Macleodknows that they have a strong representative and I'm going to be approaching the byelection just as hard as if I was in last place."

No date has been set for the byelection but the vote must be called by the middle of May.

Leading up to his nomination, Barlow's challengers used the RCMP seizure of firearms from High River homes during last June's flood as a main issue.

Barlow was criticized for downplaying the incident but said he wanted his campaign to focus on a broad vision rather than one issue.