At first blush, it looked like it would be a tough battle for Angela Pitt as she sought the nomination for the United Conservative Party in the new riding of Airdrie-East.

In the end, though it really wasn't even close as Pitt cruised to victory over challenger Roger Millions in yesterday's nomination vote in Airdrie.

Pitt won 71 percent of the vote to gain the UCP nomination in the newly created riding after three years as the MLA in the old Airdrie riding.  Pitt says she isn't really surprised by her margin of victory as she feels she has a good connection with UCP members.

"I hope, and I think it was proven in the vote yesterday, that I've done a pretty good job of listening to what they have to say.  At the end of the day, I think this came down to experience.  We know we've got a lot of work to do should we have the honour of forming a government in 2019.  I do have the experience under my belt and some different assets to put forward in this government.  People really want to see change happen quickly in 2019 and we need the experienced people to be in there to be able to do that."

After the vote, Pitt says she received a phone call from Millions congratulating her on her win.  She says she wished him the best in the future.

She also received online congratulations from party leader Jason Kenney.  Kenney isn't endorsing any candidates in nomination races but now that Pitt is in has nothing but praise.  His statement said in part:

"Angela is a valued member of our caucus and a passionate advocate for her constituents whom she has served with dedication over the last three years.  As Justice Critic, she has held the NDP government to account and fought hard for victims of crime across the province."

Kenney also thanked Millions for running, what he called, "a spirited campaign."

Don't ask Pitt when the campaign for the 2019 provincial election begins because she says it already has.  

"We've got this momentum going right now.  Our team is just geared up, ramped up.  We've really excited about last night's victory but there's bigger fish to fry in a little less than a year from now.  This is the big game and there's other ridings around us that we know we have to help and support to.  It's about fund-raising and it's about keeping the momentum up and looking forward to a victory in 2019 as well."

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