Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Devin Dreeshen hung onto the UCP nomination by only eight votes Wednesday..Dreeshen, who will take his third run for seat in the legislature in the upcoming provincial election, received 421 votes..His sole challenger, pharmacy owner Onsy Tawadrous, got 413 votes..“It was close,” said a disappointed Tawadrous..“I don’t have any reason now to ask for a recount. I’ll ask my scrutineers …if they tell me there was something questionable, I’ll ask for a recount.”.“I campaigned for a short time. I gained a lot even though I lost the campaign. I got to connect with lots of people.”.Dreeshen was first elected in a 2018 byelection. He was re-elected in the 2019 general election..He served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry from 2019 until his resignation in November 2021 due to allegations of heavy drinking and booze-fueled screaming matches..He expressed regret and apologized..The provincial election is expected to be held next May 29..“There is a huge challenge in front of us as conservatives as we head to the next election,” said Tawadrous, an Egyptian-born Christian..“I’m not going to stop.”.Dreeshen could not be reached for comment.
