Hargrave wins Sask. Party nomination in P.A. Carlton

Hundreds of local Saskatchewan Party members have spoken, and they have decided that Joe Hargrave will succeed Darryl Hickie as their candidate in Prince Albert Carlton in the next provincial election.

Five people took their turn at the Exhibition Centre podium making their case for why they should be the constituency’s next Sask. Party candidate before the Wednesday night vote.

Those five all had very different emotions prior to that moment, from nerves to confidence.

A common sentiment was expressed by Cheryl Ring, saying “whatever happens happens, we’ve done all the work we can.”

That work included selling Sask. Party memberships and making sure their friends, family, and supporters came out for the vote.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

11h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

17h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

The preferential ballot meant the riding’s Sask. Party members present ranked each candidate from one as the first choice down to five. This eliminated the need for any runoff votes.

As Hargrave took the stage following the announcement he had won, he made sure to give a nod to fellow candidates Ring, Robin Finlayson, David Bach, and Al Jurgens.

“I can’t do it alone, I need the other candidates, I need you. You know, but I want to thank all the other candidates. It’s a lot of hard work to run a campaign like this… anybody that lets their name stand gets a lot of credit with me,” Hargrave told the crowd.

Other candidates speak

Hargrave’s support was visible early in the night as people carried large signs and many wore stickers bearing his name. 

However, each candidate got applause and laughter at different points throughout the night.

Jurgens received both as he showed a binder, “the most important” thing in the next election. He revealed the empty binder as the “NDP’s plan for Saskatchewan. Nothing.”

Jurgens pointed out Sask. Party history was made when Hickie was elected the first party member in the riding in 2007. Jurgens’ wife Victoria did the same in Prince Albert Northcote in 2011.

“Now make Saskatchewan history by having a married couple elected to the Legislature from Prince Albert,” he told the audience.

Ring touted her past as a city councillor and extensive role in the arts community.

Finlayson highlighted himself as a family man and the importance of family to the Sask. Party, with his children and wife joining him on stage.

He also emphasized how his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and developing policy set him apart from others.

David Bach, Hickie’s campaign manager for the past two elections, stepped out as a candidate this time around.

“Keep P.A. Carlton NDP-free” was a theme in his speech.

Bach warned of the efforts the NDP will make to gain back a riding that was won by only 67 votes in 2007.

“They will throw a lot of money at winning both of these [Prince Albert] ridings,” he said.

That thought wasn’t lost on many of the candidates, including Hargrave.

Following his victory Hargrave told paNOW “we know we’re going to have to fight hard on the NDP. They’re not going to give up easy. But this crowd hear tonight, we know that we’re gonna make a strong, strong team from it and we’ll go hard to defeat them in the next election.”

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk