With initial expectations of four or five candidates, the race to replace Premier Brad Wall is a little more crowded then anticipated.
The $25,000 entry fee ($15,000 of which is refundable, but only if they stay in the race, abide by all the rules and wind up on the final ballot) is a bit intimidating. So is the maximum $250,000 spending limit, meaning those without a serious shot at becoming Premier need not apply.
As such, six candidates is a bit of a surprise.
And who isn’t among the six is surprising. The betting money had Health Minister Jim Reiter (who bowed out for what he described family health reason) in the race. Also, most thought Finance Minister Kevin Doherty entry into the Saskatchewan Party leadership contest was a nearly certainty.
That said, other expected contenders didn’t disappoint.
Of course, Kevin Cheveldayoff’s entry was not surprising at all.
The political rumour mill suggested Cheveldayoff has long been interested in the top job. He was kept up a sizeable contract list and appears to have had a healthy war chest.
As a Saskatoon-based candidate originally from Blaine Lake, Cheveldayoff is nicely positioning himself with a theme of “rural roots and urban strong” — something that should appeal to a wide variety of Sask. Party voter.
Also well positioned is Saskatoon lawyer and former justice minister Gordon Wyant.
As a card-carrying federal Liberal, Wyant may struggle a bit with traditional hardcore rural conservative vote.
But to offset that, he has already gained the endorsement of Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart and Sask. Party founder and former Kelvington-Wadena MLA June Draude (a former Liberal, herself.)
Also at Wyant’s announcement (designed by Harris Greenway Associates that included one-time Wall senior advisor Teri Harris) was well-respected Regina MLA Mark Docherty.
Relating to rural voters will be a challenge for Wyant, but he has to be considered a contender.
One candidate who should have little trouble relating to rural Saskatchewan is former deputy agriculture minister and deputy minister to Wall, Alanna Koch.
Koch, who was previously executive director of the Western Canadian Wheatgrowers Association, also has to be considered as a surprise entry.
Having never run for elected office before, she remains an untested commodity.
However, as former ministerial assistant during the Grant Devine government days, her connections to Wall and others in the Sask. Party hierarchy goes back decades.
Also of help is her commitment to follow Wall’s course — something that should make her one of the favours.
Jeremy Harrison has spent most is adult working life in elected politics, starting out as MP before entering provincial politics.
The path to victory for the Meadow Lake MLA may be his federal contracts and his ability to offer a different take.
Certainly, he made an initial splash in promising greater transparency and accountability. However, he’s been in the middle of many of the controversies including the Global Transportation Hub.
While former social services minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor is new enough to be removed from many of the government controversies, a tough austerity budget with cuts to assistance payments may hurt candidacy.
There again, maybe carrying out a tough government austerity agenda will add to Beaudry-Mellor’s stock in this leadership race.
Certainly, as university political science instructor and urban woman, she adds a variety to this race that other candidates don’t.
Attracting rural voters will be a challenge, but Beaudry-Mellor will attractive to those looking for something different.
The biggest surprise so far is likely the he entry of former environment minister Scott Moe, who seems to be hoping to pick up support from those who might have backed Reiter.
As of the writing of this, Moe had resigned his cabinet post, but had not officially announced.
The Shellbrook MLA also brings a strong rural background.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 22 years.
