By rdnewsNOW staff and The Canadian Press

Candidates lining up to replace MacIntyre as Innisfail – Sylvan Lake MLA

Feb 6, 2018 | 6:01 AM

EDMONTON- Premier Notley has six months to call a by-election to fill the legislature seat left vacant by United Conservative Party member Don MacIntyre.

The Speaker’s office says it received MacIntyre’s official notice of resignation yesterday.

The United Conservatives issued a terse statement on Friday saying MacIntyre had resigned, but did not specify whether he was stepping down as an MLA or just leaving caucus.

MacIntyre was elected in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake constituency under the Wildrose banner in 2015 before the party merged with the PCs last year and became the United Conservatives.

Candidates are already throwing their hat into the ring to replace MacIntyre. 

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Penhold Town Councillor Mike Walsh shared at Tweet Tuesday morning saying he will be seeking the UCP nomination for the upcoming by-election. 

Walsh has served as President of the PC and UCP constituency associations for the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding. He was elected to second term on Penhold town council in October. 

Walsh says he will continue in his role as Town Councillor while he seeks the UCP nomination. 

Randy Thorsteinson, leader of the Reform Party of Alberta, has also announced his intentions to run in the upcoming by-election. 

Meanwhile, Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood, who sought the PC nomination for the constituency in 2015 before losing out to Kerry Towle, is leaning towards not seeking the UCP nomination this time around.

“I have a really important role at Red Deer County and I’ve just been elected to that role. My dedication is to Red Deer County,” he said. “There will be a lot of other qualified candidates that come forward. I have not made any decision to run.”

rdnewsNOW has reached out to Towle for comment.

A by-election for the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake constituency must take place prior to August 5, 2018.

(Troy Gillard, With file from The Canadian Press)