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Towle wins PC nomination

PENHOLD - Kerry Towle will indeed run as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the next provincial election.
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Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Kerry Towle

PENHOLD - Kerry Towle will indeed run as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the next provincial election.

Towle, one of 11 Wildrose MLAs to cross the floor to the PCs late last year, was chosen by Tories in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding to be their candidate, beating out Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood.

A total of 1,049 ballots were cast during two advanced polls, and the final poll held on Saturday at the Penhold Multiplex.

The number of votes each candidate received was not disclosed.

Towle was beaming when her name was announced at the multiplex where about 60 PC members waited for the results.

“No question, it feels wonderful,” said Towle, 41.

“I knew I took a risk when I decided to leave my former party and join Premier Prentice’s team. I’ve never regretted a day of it and I still don’t.”

As MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, Towle said her work continues with important issues to address in the riding like urgent care, transportation and schools.

“None of my work stops. I think we get to take a moment to breathe, and tomorrow we go back to work. We’ve got to rebuild this riding and bring all Albertans under Premier Prentice. I’m looking forward to doing that,” said Towle, who defeated longtime Tory Luke Ouellette in the 2012 provincial election when she ran for the Wildrose.

Wood, who will continue on as Red Deer County’s mayor, said he knew it was going to be a close race and congratulated Towle on her win.

“We had a huge turnout tonight and I think that shows that the party is rebuilding,” Wood said.

Dennis Cooper, PC constituency president for the riding, said over 300 new memberships were sold during the candidate race.

“It’s bringing a lot of people back into the fold and we’re bringing brand new people into our party,” Cooper said.

And now the work begins on winning the next election, he said.

“I think we have a great, strong candidate that works hard for the constituency, that works hard for all the people in Sylvan, Innisfail, Penhold and Red Deer County and that’s what we need.”

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com