Provincial Tory leadership hopefuls, from left, Gary Mar, Rick Orman, Doug Griffiths, behind, Doug Horner, Alison Redford and Ted Morton.

Former cabinet minister Gary Mar commands a big lead after the first round of voting for the next leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives.

Mar, a health minister in the government of Ralph Klein who has promised a more transparent, respectful party if he wins, earned nearly 41 per cent of votes on the first ballot.

Next came former justice minister Alison Redford, with almost 19 per cent, and former deputy premier Doug Horner, with a little more than 14 per cent.

None of the six leadership candidates won the necessary 50 per cent plus one ballots Saturday in the race to replace Ed Stelmach as party leader and Alberta premier. A second ballot featuring the top three finishers will be held Oct. 1.