A few more faces have officially been added to the Central Alberta list of candidates for an election anticipated soon after the provincial government presents its budget later this month.
Two more Progressive Conservative provincial election candidates have been determined in Central Alberta.
Darcy Mykytyshyn, the candidate for the Red Deer South constituency, has been confirmed by acclamation. He was unopposed for the nomination.
Wade Bearchell, an Olds town councillor, beat fellow town Coun. Debbie Bennett and former Mountain View County councillor Ron Richardson to win the PC nomination for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills on Saturday.
In Red Deer, Serge Gingras will run for the Alberta Party in Red Deer South constituency. Gingras had stated earlier he was considering running. He also ran in the 2012 provincial election for the party in Red Deer South.
In Red Deer North, PC members will vote on Saturday to select a candidate. Red Deer city Coun. Buck Buchanan, former city councillor Jeffrey Dawson and Red Deer County Coun. Christine Moore are in the running. Matt Chapin, who declared earlier that he would seek the nomination, is not on the ballot.
Also on Saturday, the PCs will see a nomination vote for the Central Alberta constituency of Drumheller-Stettler. Jack Hayden, Drumheller Coun. Greggory Jackson and former PC constituency president Ed Mah are after the nomination.
There are seven constituencies in Central Alberta — Red Deer North and South, Drumheller-Stettler, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, Lacombe-Ponoka. Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.
So far, the PCs have officially nominated or have candidates running in all seven, Wildrose is in five, NDP in three, Alberta Party in two and the Liberals none, although in Red Deer North Michael Dawe has been endorsed by the Green Party and in a co-endorsement proposal, he is also seeking endorsement from the Liberals. There is one independent running, Joe Anglin in Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.
The Wildrose Party is in the process of choosing a new leader.
Brian Jean, Drew Barnes and Linda Osinchuk are in contention. The winner will be announced on March 28 right after the provincial budget is released, which is expected on March 26.
barr@www.reddeeradvocate.com