CALGARY – MLA Ken Hughes says he no longer plans to run for leadership of the Alberta PC Party, and is instead endorsing Jim Prentice.
He made the announcement through an open letter released on Monday morning.
“When it became apparent that Jim Prentice would consider leading Alberta over the past 10 days or so, I started to reflect on what is best for Alberta given the alternatives,” explains Hughes. “After listening to many Albertans, it became clear there is a growing consensus that Jim Prentice is the leader Alberta needs now.”
Hughes says it’s for those reasons that he made the decision he will not be a candidate for the PC party of Alberta.
“I have known Jim for nearly four decades. We have gotten to know each other in many ways; personal friendship, business, politics and community service,” says Hughes.
“He embodies the kinds of characteristics needed for the difficult role of leadership in the modern world today: a strong intellect, competence, common sense, experience in business and public service, and an ability to project strong leadership within Alberta and outside to the rest of Canada and the world,” he adds.
Hughes initially announced his intention to run from his hometown on Longview on April 11th.
He had already stepped down from his cabinet position in order to build a campaign team, and had launched a website to gauge how much support he would receive.
“It was my intention, in good faith, to lead a positive, principled campaign to a successful conclusion in September,” adds Hughes.
Ken Hughes was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-West in April, 2012. He was named Minister of Municipal Affairs in December of 2013.
The PC party is to vote on a new leader in September.
Comments