The 2019 Provincial Election is now behind us, with RJ Sigurdson having taken the Highwood riding with nearly 73% of the vote, or just over seventeen thousand votes total.

Sigurdson's fellow candidates, all of whom were first timers in their bids for MLA, seem to have learned a lot from the process.

Alberta Party candidate Ron Kerr, says the process brought many local issues to his attention.

"It's really opened my eyes up to a lot of things. I knew we had a water pipeline issues in Highwood and some other things and it's opened my eyes up to these things. Regardless, win or lose, I'm going to stay and be an advocate for the people of Highwood and see what I can do to help out any way I can."

The Alberta Independence Party's Dan Irving shared a similar sentiment, while also expressing his intent to run for MLA again in the next election.

"I'll be running in the next election, and from now to whenever that is I'll be still knocking on doors, talking to people, doing what I can to help my fellow Albertans in the Highwood riding. Even if I need to come out and shovel snow for them. I'll do whatever it takes to help them out because that's the whole point of this; it's not about me, it's about people in the riding, and I want to prove that and show that because I believe actions speak louder than any words."

In a written statement, Erik Overland of the NDP extended thanks to Sigurdson, and thanked Premier Notley for her work over the last four years:

"Congratulations to my opponent on his victory. I'm so proud of our team's campaign and thank all of the volunteers and supporters who believed in us. We're very proud of Rachel Notley and her government's leadership over the past four years. It was an honour to be part of her team and I know she'll continue to fight for the things that matter to Albertans."

There will be only two parties in the Legislature, with Neither the Alberta Party, Alberta Independence Party, nor indeed any other party having won a single seat. Kerr attributes this to the polarizing nature of this election, stating he hopes Albertans won't feel pressured to vote for only one party or the other due to fear of splitting the vote come next election.

"I think four years ago, people were voting against the Progressive Conservatives because they were leaving the province in a state of turmoil, and now they seem to be voting against the NDP, so hopefully in the next election, maybe they'll be voting for who they actually believe in."

 

23,344 Highwood constituents voted for the following candidates, according to Elections Alberta:

RJ Sigurdson (UCP): 17,024 votes (72.9%)
Erik Overland (NDP): 4105 votes (17.6%)
Ron Kerr (AP:) 1873 votes (8%)
Dan Irving (AIP): 342 votes (1.5%)

 

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