MOUNTAINVIEW, Alta — UCP MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre and minister of Alberta Environment and Parks Jason Nixon said he is weighing his options in the upcoming leadership race
“I will be taking some days to look into candidates that are coming forward,” said Nixon. “My priority is to make sure that we have a leader who can defeat Rachel Notley and the NDP in a year during the election, and a leader that is capable of keeping our untied conservative coalition together. If I see a leader of that calibre I will be supporting them.
“If I don’t see someone come forward who I think can do that, then I will consider stepping forward to do that. I will be looking how it sorts out in the next few days and making a decision.”
The leadership campaign has not officially begun. Should he decide to run, Nixon would need to give up his cabinet portfolio.
The May 19 UCP caucus decision to have Kenney stay on as UCP leader and premier until a new leader is chosen is the right move, he said.
“I think our caucus chose stability for Alberta and the government,” he said. “There is no need for any more distractions and business must go on.”
Asked if he is encouraging Kenney to run in the upcoming leadership race, he said, “What I’m saying to the premier is I hope he does what he thinks is best for him. If the premier was to come forward to run in the leadership race he would be a tremendous candidate.”
