UCP nominates former MLA Jordan Walker in Sherwood Park

The United Conservative Party has selected former MLA Jordan Walker as its candidate for Sherwood Park in the next provincial election.

Walker represented Sherwood Park in the Alberta legislature from 2019 to 2023 and served as parliamentary secretary for rural health before losing the seat in the 2023 provincial election.

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Walker secured the nomination Aug. 22 after defeating Kathy Flett by a vote of 253 to 136.

The announcement was made Friday in a post on the party’s official Instagram account.

In a Facebook statement posted Aug. 23, Walker thanked volunteers, party staff, constituency association board members and supporters who participated in the nomination process.

“Now the real work begins,” Walker wrote. “I look forward to the campaign to win Sherwood Park back for the UCP and put our riding back in the Government Caucus, where decisions are made and where MLAs can actually deliver for their constituents.”

Walker said he intends to campaign on his previous record as a government MLA, citing work on schools, health care and Industrial Heartland infrastructure projects. He also said he wants to continue efforts related to the planned expansion of Strathcona Community Hospital.

Walker’s Facebook post announcing the result drew hundreds of responses, with supporters and critics sharply divided. Several current and former UCP MLAs offered congratulations and expressed confidence in his return to the legislature, while other commenters raised concerns about his previous term as MLA, the direction of the party and broader provincial issues.

Flett had not publicly commented on the nomination result as of publication.

The nomination sets up a rematch in Sherwood Park with NDP MLA Kyle Kasawski, who defeated Walker in the 2023 election.

Alberta’s next fixed election date is expected in 2027, and parties have already begun nominating candidates and organizing local campaigns.

Walker becomes one of the latest former UCP MLAs to seek a return to the legislature as both major parties continue preparing for the next provincial election.

TWilkie@postmedia.com