On July 22nd, 2017, members of the Wildrose Party and the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta voted to merge and became the United Conservative Party.  

Now, just over three months later, one of three candidates for the first ever leader of the new party will be elected.  Whether it will be Jason Kenney, Brian Jean or Doug Schweitzer will be known by this afternoon.

Who Airdrie UCP MLA Angela Pitt would like to see as leader is no secret.  Pitt gave one of the first endorsements to her former Wildrose boss Brian Jean and has campaigned for Jean to try to make that a reality.

Pitt feels that it's been a good campaign for Jean.  "Absolutely.  I think Brian's run a really great campaign.  He's been really positive throughout.  He's tried to engage voters and not turn them away because of negativity that generally happens throughout these campaigns.  There's quite a few problems getting the PIN numbers out to a lot of the registered members and that's a huge concern.  I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow!"

Both Jean and Schweitzer raised concerns over the voting process.  Their concerns revolved around the security features that were in place around the process and audit review of the PIN distribution and use.  The UCP's Leadership Election Committee determined though that they were certain of the validity of the process. 

Pitt beleives that, no matter which candidate becomes the leader, they need to be able to bring the fledgling party together. 

"That's going to be the challenge for any leader, to really create unity within the party and to bring in all members and have that big tent conservative party that I think Albertans are looking for.  I don't envy the new leader in that task."

In this day and age, politicians need to be careful about what they say and who they say it to.  During the campaign, while speaking about Quebec's position on the Bombardier tariffs that were imposed by the U.S. government, Jean said that Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard calling on Canadians to stand unified with Quebec when Couillard effectively stopped the Energy East pipeline which would have taken Alberta oil to eastern Canada was a position that was "ridiculous and retarded." 

Jean later apologized for the comment but not before being blasted by a spokesman for the Kenney campaign.  

Pitt doesn't think the comment will hurt his chances at becoming leader.  "I haven't heard it in conversations on the street.  I don't think any leader is perfect and I think that we as voters need to accept that.  We should always strive for excellence but I know in my heart of hearts that Brian Jean is the right leader for this province."

UCP members have been voting since Thursday by phone and internet.  The results of the vote will be made known tomorrow at 5:30 pm at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary.  

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