EDMONTON — Paul Hinman has been sworn in as the lone member of the Alberta legislature for the Wildrose Alliance Party after his shocking byelection victory last month in Calgary-Glenmore.
Hinman took a seat that the Progressive Conservatives had held for 40 years.
This is Hinman’s second round as an elected member after he served one term as an Alberta Alliance Party member starting in 2004 before being defeated in last year’s provincial election.
A few weeks before the March 2008 election, the Alliance merged with the Wildrose Party to become the Wildrose Alliance.
Hinman is acting leader, but he will be replaced in a leadership vote later this month.
Hinman says his party is gaining momentum at a time when Premier Ed Stelmach’s leadership is being questioned by both Albertans and members of the premier’s own Tory party.