(Medicine Hat) Alberta’s new Premier Danielle Smith has announced she will run for the riding of Brooks-Medicine Hat in the southeastern part of the province in a by-election, even if she does not live in the area.
Posted at 5:35 p.m.
Mme Smith, who won the United Conservative Party leadership race on Thursday, said she wanted to run in a rural area because she believes rural issues need better representation at the highest levels of government .
The move was expected after Michaela Frey, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, who previously signaled she did not intend to run in the 2023 provincial election, resigned.
Mme Smith traveled to Medicine Hat on Saturday to meet with Ms.me Frey and the local campaign team.
Mme Smith lives in High River, near Calgary, and pundits have debated whether she would run for the vacant Calgary-Elbow seat.
If successful, M.me Smith said she will travel to the Brooks-Medicine Hat area frequently and hold meetings to stay in touch with constituents.