Coun. Wade Bearchell voiced his sympathies after learning about the Oct. 13 plane crash that killed former premier Jim Prentice.
The Olds town councillor ran for Prentice's Progressive Conservatives in the 2015 provincial election in the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills riding.
"It's a tragic loss, no matter where you sit on the political landscape. It's a sad day in Alberta," Bearchell said. "My family, my wife, my kids got to meet Mrs. Prentice and are very sad for her loss and his daughters."
Prentice, 60, and three other men including the pilot, died when their airplane crashed shortly after taking off from the Kelowna International Airport.
Before becoming premier, Prentice was a Conservative Party MP and held cabinet positions in former prime minister Stephen Harper's government, including the Industry, Environment, Indian Affairs and Northern Development portfolios. After federal politics, he worked for CIBC as senior executive vice-president.
He became leader of the Alberta PC Party in 2014, which excited Bearchell.
"What really drew me to him was, this was a politician that Liberals and New Democrats and Conservatives all respected and I was really excited to see him come back to Alberta," he said.
When the two met prior to the 2015 election, Bearchell said Prentice promised to do what he could to help him win the constituency. He kept that promise by showing up at a campaign rally in Olds.
"He was very gracious to me and my family. He kept every promise he made to me, which was impressive to me," he said. "I can't say I knew Jim Prentice really well but it was an honour for me to run for MLA under him."
On Saturday, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean was scheduled for a meet-and-greet at Tim Hortons in Olds. That event was cancelled.
The party released a statement on the passing of Prentice on Friday.
“For his colleagues who served with him in Ottawa and Alberta, we will remember him as a man of great compassion, who held firm in his belief in the dignity of all people and a leader who worked relentlessly towards his goal of making this province and this country a better place," Jean said.
“On behalf of the Wildrose Official Opposition, I offer my prayers and deepest condolences to Jim's wife Karen, to his children and grandchildren, and to the families who lost loved ones today. With all Albertans, we share in your grief.”
"What really drew me to him was, this was a politician that Liberals and New Democrats and Conservatives all respected and I was really excited to see him come back to Alberta."COUN. WADE BEARCHELL, FORMER PC CANDIDATE
