Edmonton's Municipal Election has come and gone, with now a new Mayor, six new councillors (although one of whom is Mike Nickel who is a past Councillor from 2004-2007), and six returning councillors. Although it is important to the provincial parties who has been elected, it is almost as important to note 'who' didn't get elected.
Provincial parties are always looking for talent, and often one of the best places to find potential candidates is through Municipal elections. Some reasons for this is that the candidates have experience running a campaign, have at least some knowledge of Alberta's political landscape, and most likely have some name recognition in the ward/riding they ran in. In Edmonton, many of the Wards are divided with similar boundaries to some of the Provincial ridings.
Although I don't personally know the future agenda of any of the particular municipal candidates that didn't win, there are a number of them who were very impressive. Some were so impressive that they will no doubt receive a lot of interest from parties ahead of Alberta's next Provincial election. Candidates like Dexx Williams in Ward 6 and Rob Hennigar in Ward 5 showed that they are personable, smart, and very well spoken.
There were more than just a few impressive candidates in the Edmonton municipal election, but perhaps none more impressive than David Dodge in Ward 3. Coming within 3% of the final vote of defeating an incumbent, his presentation skills are second to none. He engages people in a very caring and positive manner. This man is well spoken and very well liked. With four years left until the next municipal election, parties are hoping that people like him will consider taking their talents to the provincial level.
Alberta's political landscape has continually proven that voters here traditionally vote conservatively. Case in point this year, all six incumbents retained their seats. Provincially, the Conservatives have held power for over 40 years. If the other major parties want to make any serious push at all, they will need to recruit smartly and put the right candidates in place within the proper ridings. The future holds bright for Alberta's political landscape, with some up and coming talent, so let's hope that it translates into a bright future for Alberta as a province.