The Calgary Herald reports that LaVar Payne has won the nomination to carry the Conservative flag in Monte Solberg's southern Alberta riding so, with that fight complete, I'd say we could pretty much swear him in as an MP in the 40th Parliament right now.
In the 2006 election, just under 80 per cent of the electors in Solberg's riding of Medicine Hat put an 'x' beside his name.
Payne told the Herald there's a lot of work to be done.
“Obviously we're running a bit behind the eight ball because the election's been called and I've been just nominated as candidate,” Payne said. “We have to get our riding association get cracking.”
Methinks Payne doth protest too much.
Tthe Liberals, who finished second there last time, have to make up a 40,000-vote difference, to catch Payne and, call me crazy, but that seems like a pretty tall order.
So congratulations, LaVar Payne! In Alberta the toughest part of becoming an MP is winning that nomination battle and you've done it!
Payne, 62, was Solberg's special assistant in the constituency office and said it was his boss who encouraged him to seek the nomination.
Just 260 people showed up at the nomination meeting to pick the region's next MP but Payne did have to fend off two challengers to win.
Any word on why Mr. Solberg decided not to run?
And why are incumbents challenged in their own constituencies? I realize they don't 'own' the constituency, but doesn't that just create ill-will among the party faithful?
Remember the fight between Sheila Copps and Tony Valeri? That certainly didn't help them nor their party.