The Progressive Conservative representative for the new Airdrie constituency has been decided. Airdrie alderman and Deputy Mayor Kelly Hegg was congratulated by rivals Linda Bruce and Mike Crawford early Saturday afternoon.

A total of 371 votes from PC Association members were cast at Woodside Seniors Centre. The ballots were counted using a Preferential Voting System. The winner had to receive at least 50 per cent of the vote plus one ballot to be selected as the candidate. The process went to a second ballot before Hegg received the majority. He was grateful for all the support he received.

Hegg will square off against current Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson in the upcoming election, said to be happening this spring. Anderson was elected to the Airdrie-Chestermere riding in 2008 as a PC Party member and later crossed the floor to join the Wildrose Party. Airdrie's Bryan Young will represent the NDP.

Hegg was asked what his plans are leading up to election day.

David Sealock, chairman of the Airdrie PC Association, said “We had people showing up from every region of this constituency (to vote). We’re incredibly pleased with the turnout.”

Although they fell short in the final count, both Bruce and Crawford were happy to endorse Hegg as the new PC contender for MLA.

Polls closed much later in Cochrane and Canmore to determine the PC representative for the Banff-Cochrane constituency. Ron Casey, Mayor of Canmore, won the majority of the vote after what took four rounds of counting. Approximately 1,000 ballots were received. The actual breakdown of the numbers was not disclosed in either riding.