Chuck Farrer became the Wildrose Alliance candidate for the Bonnyville-Cold Lake constituency after winning against Gene Sobolewski in a vote by party members in the constituency Oct. 6.
“It always feels good to win,” he said in an interview with the Nouvelle.
He said the first things on his agenda are to increase party membership and to get organized for the provincial election, which he expects the premier to call next spring.
When asked about his top priorities, Farrer said, “Healthcare's a real big one, the seniors is paramount, and the property rights. We have to do something with property rights. (The provincial government has) taken our rights and we've got to get them back.”
In a speech earlier that evening before the voting ended, Sobolewski said he would fully support Farrer if he lost.
“The process of democracy has been satisfied and I'm absolutely honoured to have been taking part in this area,” he said.
Mayor of Bonnyville Ernie Isley announced the winner and helped count the ballots. He said he was pleased with the results and thinks Farrer will lead the party in the constituency well. The party decided not to release the details of the vote, but he said it was a “pretty decent race.” According to Isely, 206 people voted.
In a speech Farrer gave that evening before the election results, he said that the provincial government should allow local areas to decide where to commit funds to, as they know better where the money is needed.
Also earlier that evening, both Farrer and Sobolewski were asked about the possibility of a provincial sales tax, something both were opposed to.
Farrer mentioned the province's wealth, capability, and technology. “We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem,” he said.
About 40-50 people attended the vote results announcement at the Ardmore Hall.
