Calgary West is the riding to watch as Alberta's Conservative MPs work the phones and sell party memberships to protect their recently won seats, says a University of Calgary expert.

Just months after the last federal election, the Conservatives are in the middle of another nomination process. Candidate selections are starting as early as the first weekend of September.

Rob Anders: 'I've been challenged in all my nomination races.'

The process will likely be a slam dunk for most Calgary MPs, with the exception of Calgary West MP Rob Anders, said Lisa Young, who teaches political science at the University of Calgary.

"The one who might be a little bit nervous is Rob Anders because there has been a fairly negative campaign run against him personally during the last election and because he had quite a tight nomination contest before the 2004 election."

Anders has made controversial comments in the past, including calling former South African president Nelson Mandela a terrorist.

'Process isn't fair'

Walter Wakula, the former riding association president, said Wednesday he plans to challenge Anders, but the tight timelines imposed by the party make his job extremely difficult.

"The process isn't fair for challengers and I think the proof of the pudding will be how many challengers there are."

The nomination election for Calgary West will be held on Sept. 2.

Those wanting Conservative memberships so they can vote in the nomination process in Calgary West have until Friday to sign up. Those who want to challenge Anders, must submit an application package before midnight on Sunday.

MP confident

Anders says he's been selling memberships for months and can handle a challenger.

"I've been challenged in all my nomination races, but you know I have a consistently conservative track record and people know where I stand," he said.

Anders was first elected in 1997, and has been re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006 with large majorities.

Holding the nomination process at the end of summer is a sign the Conservatives are trying to protect themselves in case their minority government falls, Young said. By keeping the deadlines tight, parties can protect their incumbents.

"It is one of the tricks in the book to put a fairly short period of information out just to give candidates less time to mobilize and sell memberships and so on."