Next Alberta Liberal Party leadership election

An Alberta Liberal Party leadership election will be held as a result of the resignation of party leader Raj Sherman on January 26, 2015. Sherman indicated in a statement to the media that he was resigning as leader immediately for personal reasons and will not run for reelection as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta at the next provincial election.^[1]

Timeline

• January 26, 2015 - Raj Sherman announces his immediate resignation as leader.^[2]
• February 1, 2015 - Party board of directors elects former leader David Swann as interim leader over Laurie Blakeman and rejects Blakeman's proposal for a merger with the Alberta Party, at least until after the next provincial election.^[3] Swann is expected to lead the Liberals into the next provincial election, widely expected to be called for the spring of 2015.^[4] The party says it will hold a leadership election within a year but will not be setting a date for the vote until the fall.^[5][4]
• April 7, 2015 - Alberta legislature is dissolved for a general election.
• May 5, 2015 - Alberta general election is held.

Prospective candidates

• Laurie Blakeman, MLA (Edmonton-Centre, 1997-present), third place candidate in 2011 leadership election.^[1] Had expressed an interest in becoming interim leader and said that while she is not interested in becoming permanent leader she won't rule it out altogether. Proposes a merger with the Alberta Party.^[6]
• Dr. David Swann, MLA (Calgary Mountain View, 2004-present), interim leader of the party (2015-present), former permanent leader (2008-2011)

References