Brooks-Medicine Hat by-election runner-up Gwendoline Dirk plans to run again in the upcoming 2023 election as the NDP candidate.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Now more than a week past the Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection in which she came second, NDP candidate Gwendoline Dirk remains firm on her election-night promise to run again in May 2023.
“It was always my plan to run in May,” said Dirk, a resident of Medicine Hat. “No one knew that this byelection would happen (but) it gave me a sort of trial run of what elections are like … So, I’m more excited than ever to continue.”
Despite receiving just over a quarter of the vote – 26.7 per cent, compared to winner Danielle Smith’s 54.5 per cent – Dirk believes the results are encouraging, especially those from Medicine Hat and Redcliff.
“I really don’t view it as a loss,” said Dirk. “I view it actually as a win (because) we did stupendously well in Medicine Hat and Redcliff.
“My goal has always been to just put more information out there about what the NDP really represents (and) the byelection gave us an opportunity to really reach out. But I didn’t have the time that I would have liked, I didn’t get to some of the areas that I fully plan to get to (before the next election).”
Moving forward, Dirk intends to foster more connections with rural and Brooks voters, and to learn more about issues of concern for them, so if she were elected, she could better represent their concerns in the legislature.
“I specifically want to reach out to rural folks and talk about some of (the NDP’s) ideas and policies (like) value-added agriculture, in addition to high-speed internet connectivity.”
Dirk believes such connections would not only benefit her as an MLA hopeful, but also constituents – who she believes feel more connected when they are heard and seen by community leaders.
“I am very invested in community,” said Dirk. “I believe that you build community by listening to people and building relationships with people. So it’s important that I’m here (in the riding).”
Though confident in her ability to connect with voters and share the NDP’s platform, Dirk recognizes the possibility of a second loss to Smith, if Smith chooses to run for the seat again next year.
“I have no fear of running again against her,” she said. “The voters, in the end, will decide who they think is the best candidate (and) who they want to represent them.”
