While the date may not be set, the candidates are all in for the running. Doug McArthur and incumbent Jim Hillyer have both declared their intentions to run for nomination of the Lethbridge Federal Conservative Riding. While the floor is still open for others to put their name forward, one can only speculate what might happen.
McArthur, an investment advisor and former journalist has been involved and around the political process his whole life. While previously he may not have imagined running for the position as a member of parliament, he says things came together and he believed this seemed to be the time to get involved.
“The single biggest thing that I think needs to be addressed is that we need a member of parliament who shows up who listens and articulates those concerns well to the people in Ottawa,” says McArthur.
His wife however, knew long before her husband that this moment might come. McArthur remembers his wife’s statement all to well when he brought up the topic saying, “well I’ve known for 30 years you were going to do this.”
Incumbent Hillyer, a business consultant educator and entrepreneur was elected in May 2011. While Hillyer was originally set to run for the Medicine Hat riding, he later switched, confirming he would in fact be running again in Lethbridge.
The Lethbridge Conservative Association was unable to provide comment but will release information once dates are available.
While Hillyer and McArthur stand as the two candidates thus far, once a date is selected, the formal nomination process will begin.