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Jon Horsman is running to lead Alberta's United Conservative Party. (Photo: JonHorsman.ca)

Former banker Jon Horsman makes it 10 in UCP leadership race

Jul 6, 2022 | 4:15 PM

CALGARY, AB – A former banker is the latest person to add their name to the list of those vying for the leadership of the United Conservative Party (UCP).

Jon Horsman launched his campaign in Calgary on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Horsman is a longtime member of the UCP but is pitching himself as a political newcomer who can mend the fractured party.

He says he decided to join the race after talking to a number of concerned Albertans and says he wants to pull them together and help set them on a path to a more prosperous future.

He is proposing a “prosperity plan” that would see resource revenue surplus split evenly between prosperity payments for Albertans, investment into the Heritage Savings Trust Fund, debt repayment, and diversifying the provincial economy.

Horsman worked for close to 30 years at ATB Financial, his last position being the senior executive vice-president of business.

The list of confirmed UCP leadership candidates so far includes:

  • UCP MLA Leela Aheer
  • UCP MLA Brian Jean
  • Independent MLA Todd Loewen
  • Mayor of Amisk, AB, Bill Rock
  • Former transport minister Rajan Sawhney
  • Former PC MLA and Alberta Liberal Leader Raj Sherman
  • Former children’s services minister Rebecca Schulz
  • Former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith
  • Former finance minister Travis Toews

On May 18, 2022, Premier Jason Kenney announced his resignation as UCP leader following a leadership review vote. While Kenney did secure a slight majority of party member votes at 51.4%, he said it does not constitute a clear mandate, and that Albertans deserve a leader who can truly unite the province.

The contest will be on held Oct. 6.

READ MORE: Jason Kenney resigns as UCP leader