Two prominent district politicians have come out on different sides in the race to find a first-ever leader for the new United Conservative Party (UCP).
On Sept. 13 former Conservative MP and current Sundre town councillor Myron Thompson threw his support behind leadership candidate Brian Jean.
On the same day, current Rimbey- Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon came out in support of leadership candidate Jason Kenney.
For his part, Thompson says Jean "represents the people's views around the area more than anybody that I know of."
"He's willing to stop Bill 6, which affects a lot of farmers, and the carbon tax, which is a useless piece of tax and a money grab is all that is," Thompson told the Gazette.
"I think he brought Wildrose back to life after the Danielle Smith debacle. I believe in the Wildrose policies and how they have them set up."
Thompson said he does not plan to do any campaigning for Jean.
"I can't hit the ground anymore," he said. "I don't want to get too involved."
For his part, Nixon said he believes if elected UCP leader Kenney could win the next provincial general election.
"The stakes in this UCP leadership are extremely high," Nixon said in a press release. "Jason is the only one with the experience and leadership to get to work on Day 1 to undo the NDP's disastrous economic agenda. I have no doubt Jason is the right man for the job."
UPC members will vote for a new leader next month.
