Paul Hinman of the Wildrose Alliance speaks with reporters after being sworn in as Alberta's newest MLA, representing Calgary-Glenmore. (CBC) Paul Hinman, the newly elected member of the legislature from the Wildrose Alliance party, was sworn-in Tuesday morning by Alberta Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong.
Hinman is the new MLA for Calgary-Glenmore after a surprising victory in a byelection on Sept. 14.
The Calgary-Glenmore riding had been held by the Conservatives for 40 years. The byelection was called after former deputy premier Ron Stevens resigned to take a position as an Alberta Court of Queen's Bench judge.
Hinman beat out Alberta Liberal Avalon Roberts and Conservative Diane Colley-Urquhart, who came third.
The lone Wildrose Alliance MLA said he's excited about what's ahead.
"[In] the field of politics, the recipe has been a little bit flat, and I think the yeast from the Wildrose Alliance is going to be exciting here in the house," Hinman said.
This will be Hinman's second stint as an MLA. He lost his seat in the southern Alberta riding of Cardston-Taber-Warner in the 2008 provincial election.
"It's just enjoyable to come back and realize that now they have to deal with you from a little different perspective than last time, and the most exciting thing, though, is it's caught the awareness of Albertans and [is] giving them hope to say, 'Hey, we can send a message to Ed [Stelmach]'." Hinman said.
The Wildrose Alliance is building momentum in Alberta and will elect a new leader on Oct. 17, he said.
"I think it's going to be exciting to see what transpires here in the next few years," Hinman said.
