Prime Minister Jason Kenney’s cabinet members are considering a race to replace him in the next race with the leadership of the United Conservative Party.
Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney and Environment Minister Jason Nixon said Monday they are considering launching leadership bids.
Sawhney, the UCP MP for Calgary-North East, said she wanted to consult with family, voters and Albertans before making a decision.
“I haven’t decided yet,” he said. “I’m still deliberating.”
Nixon, who is the leader of the House of Commons, in addition to his duties as Minister of Environment and Parks, said he was focusing on passing government bills as the session ends. of spring.
“I will make decisions about what I think is best for the party,” Nixon said. “Make sure we stay together and defeat the NDP in just over a year.”
Finance Minister Travis Toews is rumored to be preparing for his career in the ruling party’s main job. On Monday he did not confirm or deny his interest, saying he was focused on business in the legislature.
“There are many details yet to be determined by the party,” Toews told reporters in the legislature. “Right now we’re focused on people’s business.”
Last week, Kenney announced that he would step down as leader of the UCP after receiving 51.4% approval in a review of his leadership. He plans to remain prime minister and party leader until a permanent leader is elected.
Wildrose ex-leader Danielle Smith and Fort McMurray-Lac la Biche MLA Brian Jean have entered the race.
Jean is also a former Wildrose leader who merged with the former Progressive Conservative Party in 2017 to form the UCP. Jean lost to Kenney in the 2017 leadership race, which is still under investigation by the RCMP due to allegations of election fraud.
On Monday, Minister of Employment, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer said he was not running for leadership or running for MLA in 2023. Schweitzer was first elected to Calgary-Elbow in 2019.
Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and Health Minister Jason Copping ruled out a leadership race.
Both Shandro and Nicolaides plan to seek a second term as MLA in their respective Calgary-Acadia and Calgary-Bow constituencies.
The party has not yet announced the timing of the leadership race.
The next provincial elections are scheduled for May 2023.