NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita addresses supporters at his campaign office as votes were being counted in Tuesday's Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita says Tuesday’s Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection results were disappointing both in terms of percentage points and voter turnout, but held firm that the numbers point to an increasing number of Albertans looking for a new option.
The former mayor of Brooks accumulated 2,098 votes to finish third behind winner Danielle Smith of the United Conservative Party (6,923 votes) and NDP runner-up Gwendoline Dirk (3,393).
“I think what it says is people are looking,” Morishita told the News. “People are concerned about what the past results have been from both the UCP and the NDP, and I think you saw that. I think people are looking for a different opportunity.”
The atmosphere at Morishita’s campaign office in downtown Medicine Hat was relaxed as the votes rolled in, but the roughly 20 in attendance remained optimistic even after Smith was projected as winner.
“I want to congratulate Danielle on a hard fought race,” said Morishita. “I hope she’s true to her word that she’s going to advocate for the concerns of this constituency. That is her job and I hope she’s serious about that. I also want to congratulate all the other candidates for their participation. I think it’s important for people to have choice when they select their members.”
Morishita expressed disappointment in his address to those in attendance, but emphasized a message of a hope, adding the reason many chose to be involved in the campaign was not to win, but to create a better community and he hopes to see his supporters and volunteers hang onto that as the 2023 election approaches.
“The general election is only seven months away,” Morishita told the News. “Calgary-Elbow isn’t going to have anybody in the legislature which should be changing. We still have issues of affordability, health-care and education that have to be dealt with. I’m asking people of Alberta, if they’re concerned about those things still, there is a better way to do it.”
