Businessman Justin Wright won the UCP nomination to represent Cypress-Medicine Hat in the provincial election..He defeated James Finkbeiner in a 216-169 vote Thursday..Wright will likely face Independent MLA Drew Barnes when Albertans head to the polls May 29..“Thank you to everyone who believed in the vision of creating a strong local community, generating job opportunities, protecting the rights of Albertans, and being fiscally responsible in safeguarding the future for generations to come,” wrote Wright on a Facebook post..The owner of Fryer Tuck’s food truck business campaigned on the need for fiscal responsibility being paramount for the UCP particularly with “ongoing pressure from Ottawa and the Alberta NDP to Just Transition” and the “global and national economic environment.”.“To James Finkebeiner (sic), thank you for running a great race and for your care and concern for our community. I look forward to working with you in the future.”.Finkbeiner is the former vice-president of operations at the Western Standard..“Not the result that we were looking for, I wish the UCP all the best in the upcoming election. Thank you very much to all my supporters,” Finkbeiner posted on Facebook..It will be an uphill battle to defeat the popular Barnes who was booted from the UCP in 2021, along with Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen, after they harshly criticized former premier Jason Kenney..Loewen returned to the UCP and was named minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism by Smith..Even with Premier Danielle Smith in charge, Barnes opted not to return to the UCP fold, although he supports several of her policies, including the proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act..Barnes was first elected in the constituency in 2012, while under the Wildrose Party banner, and since re-elected in 2015 and 2019..Meanwhile, Wright also heavily campaigned on putting the region first and increasing the local mental health support network.
