Alberta will get a new premier Saturday night when the results of today's Progressive Conservative Party leadership election are announced in the capital.
After eight months of campaigning and an inconclusive first round of balloting, three candidates remain in the race to replace Premier Ed Stelmach: former health minister Gary Mar, former justice minister Alison Redford, and former advanced education minister Doug Horner.
While Mar was out in front on the first ballot two weeks ago with 41 per cent, he failed to reach the majority required to assume control of the party that has been in power in Alberta for 40 years. The new leader will be the 14th premier and the fifth for the Tories.
Mar, 49, who was in former premier Ralph Klein's cabinet, ran a strong campaign across the province. On the first ballot, he led all of the Edmonton ridings and two-thirds of those in Calgary. He also has the support of more than half the PC caucus.
The other two candidates both served in Stelmach's cabinet but resigned to run for the leadership. Redford, 46, received most of her support from her base in Calgary, while Horner was stronger in the north of the province.
The eight-month campaign has drawn criticism for being too long and for its lack of conflict, particularly at the debates. All three candidates agree on such issues as balancing the budget, diversifying Alberta's economy and giving the province's citizens more of a voice in government.
The one issue they disagreed on was health care, with Mar saying he would be open to more private options. Both Redford and Horner said the problems with the present system, including long wait times and bed shortages, could be mended by public health care.
Stelmach became premier in 2006 and won a huge majority in 2008, taking 72 out of 83 seats. But he was sharply criticized by many in his own party for how he handled the province's finances and for taking Alberta from billion-dollar surpluses to deficits during the recession when he refused to cut government services.
With files from The Canadian Press
