Calgary-Currie – The battle of the broadcasters: Liberal incumbent and former radio talk show host Dave Taylor defeated former TV war correspondent turned Progressive Conservative candidate, Arthur Kent, in what was once a secure Tory riding. Kent, dubbed the "Scud Stud," complained about a lack of communication from Tory Leader Ed Stelmach's office early in the campaign.
Calgary-Elbow – Liberal Craig Cheffins stole this seat, held by former premier Ralph Klein for decades, in a June 2007 byelection. With a turnout of about 35 per cent, the Liberals called their victory — and the fact Tory supporters stayed away from the ballot box — a reflection of discontent with the PC government. Watchers expected possible vote-splitting as former Calgary councillor Barry Erskine ran as an Independent. PC Alison Redford emerged the winner, taking about 42 per cent of the vote.
Edmonton-Whitemud – This riding has seen some of the highest growth in Alberta — its population jumping by almost 19,000 new residents in 2006 from 2001, according to Statistics Canada. Political analysts said the newcomers were a wild card. Tory incumbent Dave Hancock was re-elected.
Edmonton-Castle Downs – This race between Tory incumbent Thomas Lukaszuk and Liberal candidate Chris Kibermanis was an unprecedented nail-biter in 2004. The win was originally given to Kibermanis, a welder, by five votes, but a judicial recount then declared Lukaszuk the winner by three ballots. Conservative Lukaszuk was re-elected.
Lacombe-Ponoka – Joe Anglin, a well-known activist who successfully led the fight against a contentious power line, was one of the Alberta Greens' best hopes of winning the party's first legislative seat. Anglin was the public face of a group of landowners who were spied on by the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, and subsequently spoke out against Bill 46. The staunchly Tory area was held by PC Ray Prins, who was re-elected.
Calgary-Egmont – Outspoken activist Craig Chandler is running as an Independent here after he was deemed too controversial to represent the Tories. Citing Chandler's history of anti-gay comments, Tory Leader Ed Stelmach refused to endorse his candidacy. PC candidate Jonathan Denis won the riding, with a strong second place showing by former Catholic school board trustee Cathie Williams.
Calgary-Mackay – This seat was vacated by Tory Gary Mar when he was appointed to be Alberta's trade representative in Washington, D.C. last fall. Mar won the riding handily for the Tories four times and served in several cabinet positions. The PCs retained the seat with rookie candidate Teresa Woo-Paw, a former school board trustee and social worker, who fended off a Liberal advance by teacher Tianna Melnyk.
Edmonton-Manning – Independent Dan Backs was trying to hold on to the seat he narrowly won in 2004 for the Liberals. He was kicked out of the party in 2006 for undisclosed reasons. However, PC Peter Sandhu took the riding.
Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo – The northern city closest to the province's boom also has the biggest growth pressures in housing and infrastructure. As well, it has a large influx of newcomers from other provinces. Conservative incumbent and popular former mayor Guy Boutilier was re-elected, and has held this seat since 1997. Ross Jacobs, a former broadcaster, carried the banner for the Liberals.
Cardston-Taber-Warner – The Tories worked hard to regain this riding from Wildrose Alliance Leader Paul Hinman in a rematch with PC candidate Broyce Jacobs. Jacobs served for one term as MLA before Hinman narrowly won the seat in 2004 for the Alberta Alliance. Jacobs reclaimed the seat by 39 votes.
Related
Internal Links
Alberta Votes 2008 »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
Riding Profiles
More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
