Alberta NDP party leader Naheed Nenshi nominated as candidate for Edmonton-Strathcona

By Al Beeber Southern Alberta Newspapers on January 24, 2025.

Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi is hoping to soon have a riding to call his new political home.

Nenshi, elected leader of the party last year, was named this week as the party’s candidate for when a by-election is called for the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona.

That seat was held by former NDP leader Rachel Notley who stepped down as MLA on Dec. 30 after representing the riding for 16 years.

“Edmonton Strathcona is known across this province as the beating heart of our party. Home to our most dedicated activists, longtime members, and a launching ground for the incredible, one-of-a-kind leadership of Rachel Notley,” said Nenshi, a former mayor of Calgary, in a statement.

“It is with gratitude, humility and deep appreciation for your long-serving volunteering and efforts, that I accept the nomination to represent this remarkable area of our province in the provincial legislature.”   

Nenshi says last October he would jump at an opportunity to run for election when an opportunity arises after premier Danielle Smith said while campaigning with Lethbridge West UCP candidate John Middleton-Hope that in the interests of taxpayers, she would prefer to have two by-elections at the same time.

Smith eventually called the Lethbridge West by-election for December.

Nenshi won the NDP leadership last June when he received 86 per cent of the vote on the first ballot, garnering 62,746 votes to beat MLAs Kathleen Ganley, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse and Sarah Hoffman.

In his Wednesday statement, Nenshi added “together, we will work hard to earn the support of our friends and neighbours and show them that they have a home in the Alberta NDP and, in 2027, we will deliver a smarter and more capable government that respects all Albertans.”

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