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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

date for vote to be determined

MLA Stephan to seek re-election, with one opponent declared

Nov 4, 2022 | 6:00 PM

Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan says he hopes to seek re-election in spring 2023.

In a statement to rdnewsNOW this week, Stephan, who was elected in 2019, confirms as much.

“While much good has occurred in the past three and a half years, including the announced $1.8 billion hospital expansion, Red Deer Polytechnic, and progress towards cleaning up our downtown, there is a need for more work and vigilance. After considering what has occurred and is occurring, I have and can make positive contributions for our province and community,” says Stephan.

“A nomination event is an important democratic check and balance. It supports principles of accountability and putting one’s best foot forward. With the provincial election occurring in late spring, the nomination event for the UCP candidate for Red Deer South will be occurring soon.”

The party, nor any constituency association has announced when that nomination race will happen.

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However, there is one more nominee who’s publicly declared for an eventual race, and that is Adele Poratto.

Poratto sought the very same UCP nomination in 2019, losing to Stephan alongside two others.

“It’s easy to talk a big game about servant leadership, but actually stepping up to the plate to represent the entirety of a community is tough,” says Poratto, a business owner.

“I’ve worked with community organizations and various volunteer boards in this region nearly my entire adult life. The skills I’ve learned regarding being on a team and pushing from the inside to get things done are why I’m seeking the UCP nomination.”

Regardless of who wins, they’ll be up against NDP candidate and City solicitor Michelle Baer, who earned the nomination back in June.

In Red Deer-North, incumbent Adriana LaGrange will face off with the NDP’s Jaelene Tweedle.