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Red Deer race still lacks a Liberal contender

Two of the three federal ridings in Alberta still searching for Liberal candidates are in Central Alberta.

Two of the three federal ridings in Alberta still searching for Liberal candidates are in Central Alberta.

So far no one has stepped forward to run as the Liberal candidate in Red Deer for the May 2 federal election.

Red Deer is one of three federal ridings in Alberta, which has 28 ridings, without a Liberal candidate as of Wednesday.

The riding of Crowfoot, which includes Stettler County, doesn’t have a Liberal candidate, as well as Macleod in Southern Alberta.

Daryl Fridhandler, Liberal campaign manager for Southern Alberta, said discussions are underway with potential candidates.

“I know they are pretty active both in Macleod and Red Deer in talking to some people who are considering it,” said Fridhandler late Wednesday afternoon. Crowfoot is more difficult because it doesn’t have an active riding Liberal association, he said.

Candidates have until April 11 to file nomination papers with Elections Canada.

The Conservatives, NDP and Green Party have already named their Central Alberta candidates.

In Red Deer, Stuart Somerville is the NDP candidate. Ashkan Hamzehi is running for the Green Party. Incumbent Conservative Earl Dreeshen is running for his second term in Parliament.

Candidates for the Wetaskiwin riding include NDP Tim Robson, Liberal Chris Anderson, Les Parsons for the Green Party and incumbent Conservative Blaine Calkins.

In Wildrose, incumbent Conservative Blake Richards is seeking re-election. John Reilly is the Liberal candidate. The NDP candidate is Jeff Horvath and Mike MacDonald is running for the Green Party.

In Crowfoot, NDP Ellen Parker and Green Party candidate Konrad Schellenberg are up against Conservative incumbent Kevin Sorenson.

Elections Canada offices in all 308 federal electoral districts are now open. For more information go to www.elections.ca.

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com