Premier-elect Danielle Smith held a press conference on Saturday in Medicine Hat with former MLA Michaela Frey to announce her intention to run in a by-election for the vacant seat in Alberta’s Legislative Assembly..“I would like to thank Michaela Frey for her service representing the constituents of Brooks-Medicine Hat. She was a strong voice in caucus and took the lead on many important issues to stand up for the rights of Albertans and I wish her all the best in the future," Smith said.."It is important to me that I am able to join the rest of the United Conservative caucus in the Legislature this fall to begin the work addressing the concerns of Albertans.".According to Smith, during the pandemic, Albertans in rural and small urban communities felt left out of the conversation.."By running in Brooks-Medicine Hat, I will assure them that forgotten corners of the province will not be forgotten and they will continue to have a strong voice at the table.”.On Friday, Frey for Brooks-Medicine Hat resigned her position.."This morning I provided my resignation to the Premier-Designate, Speaker Nathan Cooper and the Clerk," Frey said on Facebook Friday morning..READ MORE: Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA resigns, encourages Smith to run there.From Jeffries Park, overlooking the city, Smith thanked Frey for her service to Alberta.. Danielle Smith AnnouncementUnited Conservative Party of Alberta livestream. ."We're only going to have one by-election," Smith said on Power and Politics on October 7..Smith claimed victory on Thursday night in the UCP leadership race, On Friday she held her first caucus meeting to talk and collaborate and just two days later she announces another campaign..Smith said she is ready to put on some miles and the people of Alberta will have full access to her..Smith also said she will not call a by-election for Calgary-Elbow.."Part of the reason for that is that there has been a convention, when a leader is chosen who does not have a seat, there's an expectation that she will seek a seat at an early opportunity," Smith said with concerns to her running in Brooks-Medicine Hat.."I think rather than have a rolling series of by elections, we may as well just stick with the convention of having the adjacent MLA take care of the issues in the riding. And we'll stick with the next election date of May 29." Smith said..On October 11, Smith will be sworn in as the 19th premier of Alberta.
