Kathleen Ganley first to declare bid for Alberta NDP leadership as contest kicks off
CBC
Former Alberta justice minister and three-term Calgary MLA Kathleen Ganley officially launched a bid to become the next leader of Alberta's New Democrats on Monday, becoming first in the race to replace departing leader Rachel Notley.
Notley announced in mid-January she would step down as party leader as soon as the members choose her replacement. Under the rules of the leadership contest, which kicked off today, candidates who want to run must register before March 15.
Speaking to reporters at the Telus Convention Centre in downtown Calgary on Monday, Ganley said her campaign would zero in on delivering a message tied to the NDP's economic strategy, among other measures.
"What this province needs is less drama. It needs experienced, competent leadership focused on what matters," Ganley said. "That's what this team will deliver."
When asked by a reporter whether she was interested in launching talks on the future of the provincial NDP's relationship with the federal NDP, Ganley said she was open to having that conversation with members.
"I think the concerns of members, especially when you hear them repeatedly, are very valid," she said.
Ganley's leadership bid was widely expected by political observers. In early January, before Notley's resignation, Ganley posted a 55-second leadership-style video on X, formerly known as Twitter, discussing her background growing up in northwest Calgary and her recognition of the various challenges facing Albertans.
One of the things that has set Ganley apart is a strategy of being first, said Lisa Young, a professor of political science at the University of Calgary.
"I think that Ganley wants to, in a sense, corner the market on being the Calgary candidate. She is distinctive in this race, given the discussion of the potential front-runners, as the candidate who comes from Calgary," Young said.
"She has history in the party, she has ministerial experience, and she is going to probably have quite a bit of support from Calgary MLAs — a real sort of coming together as the Calgary candidate."
Though the party enjoys a strong base of support in Edmonton, expanding support in Calgary will be a key priority for the NDP in the next provincial election, Young noted.
The big question mark moving forward is in regards to speculation as to whether or not former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi will join the race, which would change the race's trajectory.
"It takes away from Kathleen Ganley's claim that she is the Calgary candidate. It changes the terrain of the contest," Young said.
"If we think back to the UCP leadership contest, there were moments where it seemed like all of the leadership contestants were opposing Danielle Smith as this outsider. I think we might see a dynamic similar to that if Nenshi does jump into the race."
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