SAWHNEY IS A RED TORY

Pitt leaves Sawhney UCP leadership campaign, citing need to realign with constituents

Jason Herring - Yesterday 

Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt is leaving her role as chair of Rajan Sawhney’s UCP leadership campaign over what she describes as a need to realign with her constituents.


© Provided by Calgary HeraldCalgary North-East UCP MLA Rajan Sawhney (right) launches her campaign for the leadership of the United Conservative Party next to Airdrie UCP MLA Angela Pitt at Violet King Henry Plaza at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, on Monday, June 13, 2022.

Pitt announced the departure in a Facebook post Sunday morning, in which she praised Sawhney but said she needed to refocus her own efforts.

“It is time for me to step back into alignment with my constituents and my values,” Pitt wrote. “I believe in a strong Alberta that will both stand up to Ottawa and respect individual freedoms.”

Sawhney, the UCP’s Calgary-North East MLA and a former minister of transportation and community and social services, has positioned herself as a moderate candidate in the ongoing UCP leadership race.

Her platform includes an independent inquiry into Alberta’s COVID-19 response , and she took aim at fellow hopeful Danielle Smith in the first leadership debate — particularly Smith’s proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act, which would aim to allow Alberta to ignore federal government laws and policies.

Some of those stances appeared to clash with Pitt’s views, as a vocal opponent of Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions and a supporter of the province pursuing status as a sovereign jurisdiction within Canada .

In her Facebook post, Pitt said she is focusing efforts on local issues, including Airdrie’s “inadequate” urgent-care facility, which is facing overnight closures on weekends , and Alberta’s struggling EMS system.

“We must remember why we are here and what needs to be done,” Pitt said. “I will do my part to ensure the conservative movement in Alberta remains united as we rebuild a free and prosperous future for our province.”

The Sawhney campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Postmedia.

A mid-July Leger poll, conducted before candidates held their first debate, showed minimal support for Sawhney , polling at zero per cent. Former Wildrose party leaders Smith (22 per cent) and Brian Jean (20 per cent), as well as former Finance Minister Travis Toews (15 per cent) led the pack, while 31 per cent of respondents to that poll were undecided.

Rounding out the field of leadership candidates are former cabinet ministers Leela Aheer and Rebecca Schulz, and Independent MLA Todd Loewen.

Those who wish to vote in the leadership contest must purchase UCP memberships, which can be done until Aug. 12. The vote for the new leader takes place Oct. 6.

jherring@postmedia.com

Twitter: @jasonfherring