Calgary’s top 5 ridings to watch in the 2015 Alberta Election

Calgary-Elbow: Gordon Dirks (PC) is taking on Greg Clark (Alberta Party) in a rematch from the 2014 by-election. Back then, Dirks won against Clark with 33 per cent of the vote compared to his 26 per cent. The Wildrose came in a close third with 24 per cent of the vote. This year, the Wildrose candidate is Megan Brown.

Calgary-Fort: Longtime MLA Wayne Cao (PC) is stepping down and leaving his seat up for grabs. He only beat Jeevan Mangat (Wildrose) by about 200 votes in the 2012 provincial election. This year, Mangat is running once again on behalf of the Wildrose while the PC’s have newcomer Andy Nguyen. In addition, former Calgary Councillor Joe Ceci is running for the NDP.

Calgary-Buffalo: Popular MLA Kent Hehr (Liberal) is seeking federal Liberal nomination in Calgary Centre this year. As such, David Khan is running for the Liberals in his place. Meanwhile, well-known arts activist Terry Rock is running for the PC’s.

Calgary-Mountain View: Liberal leader David Swann is the only opposition incumbent running in Calgary. Can he hold the seat? Swann will be running against Mark Hlady (PC) who was the riding’s previous MLA until he was beat by Swann in 2004.

Chestermere-Rocky View: (We know it’s not technically a riding in Calgary – but it’s sure going to be one to watch!) Bruce McAllister beat Ted Morton (PC) in the 2012 provincial election as a Wildrose candidate, but then he crossed the floor to join the PCs in December of 2014. Can McAllister (now PC) hold his seat in a battle against Wildrose candidate Leela Aheer? In addition, Jamie Lall has entered the race as an independent. Lall was fighting for the PC nomination when he was mysteriously disqualified by the party on the eve of the nomination vote. “This could set up a nice three way battle between Wildrose Aheer, the WIldroser-turned PC McAllister and the PC-turned independent Lall,” says Bratt.

– With files from Chair of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University Duane Bratt.