December byelection to determine if Jason Kenney sits in Alberta legislature

By Staff The Canadian Press

Posted November 16, 2017 12:53 pm EST

Updated November 16, 2017 9:14 pm EST

1 min read

This article is more than 7 years old and some information may not be up to date.

WATCH ABOVE: Premier Rachel Notley has called for a byelection in Calgary-Lougheed and while its only one riding, the people and issues at play will likely serve as a preview of what's to come in the 2019 election. Fletcher Kent reports – Nov 16, 2017

United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney is getting his chance to gain a seat in the Alberta legislature.

Story continues below advertisement

Premier Rachel Notley called a byelection Thursday in the constituency of Calgary-Lougheed for Dec. 14.

The riding has been vacant since Nov. 1 when United Conservative member of the legislature Dave Rodney resigned to give Kenney a chance to win a seat.

The daily email you need for 's top news stories.

Earlier this week, Kenney was acclaimed as his party’s candidate in the constituency.

Kenney is a former federal Conservative cabinet minister who successfully merged Alberta’s Wildrose and Progressive Conservatives this year.

He won a vote last month to become leader of the new party.

Calgary doctor Phillip van der Merwe is the sole candidate for the NDP nomination and is expected to be acclaimed this weekend.