Arthur Kent, an award-winning international journalist, announced he's seeking the provincial Tory nomination in a southwest Calgary riding.

Nicknamed the "Scud Stud" for his reporting for an American network during the Persian Gulf War, Kent said he was encouraged to run in Calgary-Currie by his neighbours and after meeting with Premier Ed Stelmach.

Journalist Arthur Kent will seek the provincial Tory nomination in Calgary-Currie.
(CBC)

"There are no inducements," Kent said in an interview with CBC News. "It was simply a matter of me nosing around, poking around. I wanted some answers on where we were going."

Kent, 53, built his career reporting on international affairs, specializing most recently on Afghanistan. After reporting on governments around the world that "don't work," Kent said, "it dares you to become involved."

Born in Lacombe, Alta., Kent will be pursuing a seat the Liberals won with popular radio broadcaster Dave Taylor in 2004.

Three other declared candidates are seeking the Tory nomination and Kent's announcement Tuesday has at least one re-considering how much time and money he'll put into the campaign.

"Obviously everybody is going to have to re-think with Arthur Kent entering," candidate Steve Chapman said. "I mean that's a pretty high-profile name."

Arthur Kent was dubbed the 'Scud Stud' after his reports during the Persian Gulf War.
(CBC)

The party says Kent still has to run and win the Tory nomination on Nov. 17.

"No question Arthur brings a different dimension to the nomination process. And at the end of the day everybody's got to buy the memberships and get the people out the door to vote," said Bruce Thorpe, president of the Progressive Conservative constituency association in Calgary-Currie.

Two high-profile announcements on energy royalties and homelessness in the last week has pundits predicting an upcoming election call.

But whenever that happens, Kent won't be the only star candidate, the Liberals said Tuesday.

"We got plenty of names. We're strong on the ground in Calgary," said Liberal Leader Kevin Taft. "I think the political scene in Calgary is up for dramatic shift in the next provincial election.

Kent's brother, Peter Kent, a former TV news anchor ran and lost in the 2004 federal election as a Conservative in Ontario.