Nenshi announces run for Edmonton-Strathcona seat to 'go head-to-head' with Smith

New Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he is aiming to join the legislature to "go head-to-head" with Premier Danielle Smith.

New Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he is aiming to join the legislature to "go head-to-head" with Premier Danielle Smith.

He confirmed on Friday he was seeking his party's nomination to run as a candidate in Edmonton-Strathcona, vacated by former Alberta premier and Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley on Dec. 30.

"This nomination means that I’ll be in the legislature to go head-to-head with Danielle Smith soon," Nenshi said in a statement posted to social media.

"I believe Alberta New Democrats can be a thoughtful government-in-waiting with real solutions for Alberta families."

Nenshi does not have a seat in the legislature, having declined to pursue a seat in the Lethbridge-West constituency in mid-December, which was won by NDP candidate Rob Miyashiro.

Nenshi will be the third Alberta NDP leader to run in Edmonton-Strathcona, following in the steps of Notley and Raj Pannu.

Calgary's mayor for 12 years until 2021, Nenshi said on Friday his Edmonton-Strathcona nomination does not mean he is leaving the southern city "behind."