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By 'Editor, LDSCaNews'
Latter-day Saints in Alberta Election
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA -- As the 12 March provincial election in
Alberta quickly draws near, it is growing ever more obvious how much
Albertan Latter-day Saints are heeding this counsel. The seven LDS
candidates running this year is a far cry from the three running in
the national election only five months ago.
Throughout the years, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints have encouraged its members to take a more active
part in civic responsibilities. This has always been taken to include
voting amongst other things.
As the 12 March provincial election in Alberta quickly draws near, it
is growing ever more obvious how much Albertan Latter-day Saints are
heeding this counsel. The seven LDS candidates running this year is a
far cry from the three running in the national election only five
months ago.
Two candidates, both running for the current party in power, are also
the local incumbents in their areas. Greg Melchin, of the Calgary
North West riding, and fellow Political Conservative party member Ian
McLelland, of the Edmonton-Rutherford riding, are both hoping their
constituents will vote them in again.
Roughly two years ago, many members of the Church - along with others
not of their faith - left the Social Credit Party because of apparent
religious intolerance from other party members. Among them was Randy
Thorsteinson, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, who to that
point had served as leader of the party.
Shortly after the separation, a new party was formed under the name
of the Alberta First Party. John Reil, who was elected as the party's
leader, is also a member of the Church. He is running in the
Cardston-Taber-Warner riding.
Three other Latter-day Saints are running in two cities as
representatives of the same party. Bob Argent and his wife Patty are
running in the two Red Deer ridings. Brian Stewart of the Lethbridge
Alberta West Stake is a candidate in the Lethbridge West riding.
Patrick Ellis, also of Edmonton has decided to run in the McClung
riding without party affiliation. He two is LDS.
However, it's more than just the candidates who are showing a
responsibility to their civic duties. The Lethbridge Alberta West
Stake has donated the use of one of their meetinghouses to be used as
a polling station. Voters in the area will use the building to cast
their votes.
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