Nenshi Enters Alberta Legislature with Decisive Byelection Victory
Alberta politics saw a major shift this week as Naheed Nenshi, leader of the provincial NDP and former mayor of Calgary, officially secured his seat in the legislature. After a year of leading the opposition without a place in the house, Nenshi has now claimed the Edmonton-Strathcona seat in a byelection, marking the completion of a critical step in his political comeback and setting the stage for the next provincial election.
Speaking to reporters after the results came in, Nenshi was characteristically candid and upbeat. “It means I get a parking spot at the legislature,” he joked, before adding more seriously, “I’ve been doing this job for a whole year, and I’m just really grateful to the people of Edmonton-Strathcona for allowing me to take the next step.” His win is a milestone in what he describes as a three-part mission: win the leadership, win a seat, and ultimately win the general election.
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And what a win it was. According to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, Nenshi dominated the polls, securing over 82% of the vote—an even stronger showing than his predecessor Rachel Notley, who won this riding with 80% in the last general election. His closest competitor, UCP candidate Darby Crouch, trailed far behind with just over 1,300 votes, compared to Nenshi’s nearly 8,000.
This wasn’t the only byelection happening. Edmonton-Ellerslie and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills were also on the ballot. In Edmonton-Ellerslie, the NDP hoped to solidify their presence with candidate Gurtej Singh Brar, while the UCP’s Naresh Bhardwaj aimed to make a dent in the NDP’s urban stronghold. Meanwhile, rural central Alberta saw a more unconventional race, with the Republican Party of Alberta pushing a separatist agenda and trying to capture discontent outside the cities.
Premier Danielle Smith extended a public congratulations to Nenshi on social media. “I look forward to constructive debate and, above all, working to advance Alberta’s interests,” she wrote, acknowledging his entrance to the legislature. But it’s no secret that political tensions are likely to rise. When the legislature reconvenes in the fall, the premier and NDP leader will finally face off across the floor during question period—a dynamic that’s bound to shake up the tone of Alberta politics.
For Nenshi and the NDP, this victory is more than just a seat—it’s momentum. It validates the faith of party members who backed his leadership and signals a reinvigorated push toward the 2027 provincial election. With a growing presence in Edmonton, renewed energy in the party, and Nenshi’s oratorical and strategic strengths now active in the legislature, the next few years in Alberta politics just got a lot more interesting.
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