By the end of this week, we will know how many people can vote for the Saskatchewan Party’s new leader.
Friday, Dec. 8, marks the deadline for memberships. It comes two weeks after the Nov. 24 deadline for entry into the race that now consists of six people: Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Ken Cheveldayoff, Robert Clarke, Alanna Koch, Scott Moe and Gordon Wyant.
Also, this week sees the last of party’s leadership debate forums, with the last scheduled one set for Regina on Thursday, Dec. 6.
So here are some random observations that hopefully show where this race is at:
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• Regarding the debate, questions and the format, it has been too restrictive to properly prepare the premier-to-be for the job.
As of this writing, there had still been no questions asked on the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) or the Regina bypass (although one would hope it would at least have come up at the Nov. 30 Regina debate).
A lack of meaningful, challenging debates could be especially harmful to Koch, who hasn’t been tested by the fire of legislative debate or tough reporter scrums. That said, being out on the road every day stumping for voters while most of her competitors are stuck in the legislature is a tremendous advantage.
• Among the perceived front-runners, Koch may have benefited the most from the recent uproar over the RightNow survey on various candidates’ views on abortion.
Koch was the only one who refused to participate in the survey (and was then graded the lowest, with Cheveldayoff the highest at 89 per cent).
If the prevalent notion is that the Sask. Party has to reach out to women and urban demographics, this could be a plus for her as Sask. Party leader. As someone who has already branded herself as following retiring Premier Brad Wall’s path, this may be especially important in demonstrating she is her own person.
• However, many believe the RightNow survey has really opened up this race and most benefited Cheveldayoff.
Combined with his initial hardline comments that he would “support anything that protects the unborn child,” many people thought Cheveldayoff has tapped into the pro-life network. That he also has the support from federal MP Brad Trost and some from Jason Kenney’s team that helped him become leader of Alberta’s United Conservative Party may also be helpful.
That said, Cheveldayoff was also rather quick to soften his hardline position, which has angered others in the party. And many are wondering if this will be seen as a political move that may anger pro-life supporters who feel they are being manipulated.
• Others feel the big winner in the abortion dustup may be Moe, who got out his pro-life view but was less in the fray.
If the final ballot comes down to Koch and Moe with Cheveldayoff third, it might stand to reason that Cheveldayoff support would go to Moe.
• Moe did pick up some additional momentum with a 23rd Sask. Party caucus member supporting him.
Christine Tell declared her support for Moe last week. Adding another urban MLA to his team would be helpful.
• Clarke’s late leadership bid isn’t being taken all that seriously by front-runners, but his entry has certainly had political entertainment value.
Most recently, Clarke declared that New Democrats were buying up Sask. Party membership to stop him from defeating a Sask. Party insider.
His notion that he would use the notwithstanding clause to stop abortions from being performed in Saskatchewan has also shaken things up.
• While Wyant may still be struggling with the Liberal tag, he has taken the hardest position on suing the government over equalization payments.
Also, having rural supporters like past and present agriculture ministers Lyle Stewart and Bob Bjornerud, plus June Draude, may score points with badly needed rural voters.
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Read our series on the Sask. Party leadership candidates
