The Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIP) said it will investigate leader Paul Hinman following his dismal performance in Tuesday’s Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection..WIPA President Rick Northey said the party will formally investigate Hinman’s actions in a Wednesday statement..“I will be directing the provincial nominating committee to open an investigation to look into the performance of the candidate and his team during the by-election campaign. I will personally ensure that the results of this investigation are made available to the public,” said Northey..UCP candidate Brian Jean won handedly with 63.6% of the unofficial popular vote. The NDP candidate Ariana Mancini took second place, with 18.5% of the vote. Hinman was a distant third with 10.8% of the vote..Northey said “the unique position filled by Brian Jean allowed for him to capture – wholly – the anti-Kenney vote that would otherwise coalesce under the Wildrose banner. This, no doubt, contributed to the result tonight.”.In an interview last week, Hinman told the Western Standard, “my leadership is up for review at our AGM yet to be determined by before July 2022.”.Northey suggested a local candidate would have fared better..“Paul made a formal decision to put his leadership on the line where a local candidate could have built name recognition for the party. In the face of this argument, Hinman’s team assured our membership — and myself — that his presence in the race would give us a fighting chance; including multiple statements to the Western Standard setting the bar at 35% of the vote.”.More to come….Amber Gosselin is a reporter with the Western Standard..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
The Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIP) said it will investigate leader Paul Hinman following his dismal performance in Tuesday’s Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection..WIPA President Rick Northey said the party will formally investigate Hinman’s actions in a Wednesday statement..“I will be directing the provincial nominating committee to open an investigation to look into the performance of the candidate and his team during the by-election campaign. I will personally ensure that the results of this investigation are made available to the public,” said Northey..UCP candidate Brian Jean won handedly with 63.6% of the unofficial popular vote. The NDP candidate Ariana Mancini took second place, with 18.5% of the vote. Hinman was a distant third with 10.8% of the vote..Northey said “the unique position filled by Brian Jean allowed for him to capture – wholly – the anti-Kenney vote that would otherwise coalesce under the Wildrose banner. This, no doubt, contributed to the result tonight.”.In an interview last week, Hinman told the Western Standard, “my leadership is up for review at our AGM yet to be determined by before July 2022.”.Northey suggested a local candidate would have fared better..“Paul made a formal decision to put his leadership on the line where a local candidate could have built name recognition for the party. In the face of this argument, Hinman’s team assured our membership — and myself — that his presence in the race would give us a fighting chance; including multiple statements to the Western Standard setting the bar at 35% of the vote.”.More to come….Amber Gosselin is a reporter with the Western Standard..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
