An experienced MLA won his United Conservative Party nomination in a vote Aug. 29.
MLA Mark Smith, currently representing the Drayton Devon constituency, was challenged for the nomination to run under the UCP banner in next spring’s election by Andrew Boitchenko.
Smith said he announced last spring he would seek the nomination again, and has been campaigning ever since. “It was a fairly long campaign for me,” said Smith by phone Aug. 31. He said he had a dedicated team of 40 people helping with his nomination run.
The MLA said, as he campaigned, voters continued to voice concern about the Alberta economy and want a party in power that’s going to address those concerns. The MLA said he’s also concerned about the debt-hole Alberta is now in and the province badly needs a government that spends tax money in the best way possible.
Smith said he has the greatest respect for his competitor Boitchenko, who ran an upbeat, positive campaign. Smith said that if Boitchenko had won, Smith would be supporting him completely.
UCP leader Jason Kenney sent his congratulations to Smith in a press release. “I would like to congratulate Mark Smith on his nomination victory in Drayton Valley-Devon,” stated Kenney
“As the United Conservative Education Critic, Mark has applied his three decades of teaching experience to holding the NDP to account on its education policy, and I am pleased to know that our United Conservative team will continue to benefit from this knowledge and expertise. Mark’s strong, principled voice will be a tremendous asset as we work to restore the Alberta Advantage and get our province back on track.
“I would also like to thank Andrew Boitchenko and his team for their spirited campaign and dedication to the conservative movement.”