Michelle Rempel Garner considers UCP leadership run to replace Kenney

Michelle Rempel Garner, a longtime Conservative MP from Calgary, says she’s stepping back from the federal Conservative leadership race to consider running for Jason Kenney’s job.

Rempel Garner was serving as co-chair on Patrick Brown’s leadership campaign when Kenney stunned many last month by announcing he was resigning as premier of Alberta and leader of the United Conservative Party after narrowly surviving a leadership review.

Rempel Garner’s name soon started to circulate as a potential successor to Kenney.

1/ Our province needs hope, a positive vision for the future, and a Conservative leader who can inspire Albertans and win.

— Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) June 16, 2022

She confirmed on Twitter she has been encouraged to run and is giving “serious consideration” to mounting a UCP leadership bid.

Rempel Garner says she will step back from the federal Conservative leadership race to focus her attention on a potential leadership run.

“I will make my decision based on the conversations I have with the people I represent – Albertans.”

In his own statement on Twitter, Brown thanked Rempel Garner for contributing to his campaign and wished her well in her deliberations.

I want to wish my friend Michelle Rempel Garner the best as she embarks upon deliberations on her future. She has served Canada well and will continue to serve in whatever role is next. We’ll miss you Michelle, but thanks for your contribution to our campaign.

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) June 16, 2022

Announcing that Rempel Garner, who was first elected in 2011, would serve as one of his national campaign co-chairs was seen by some to be a key get for Brown, whose political roots lie in Ontario.

Her departure follows a decision by two MPs to forgo their endorsement of Brown and instead back his main rival, longtime Ottawa-area MP Pierre Poilievre.

UCP LEADERSHIP RACE:

• To be held Oct. 6: Alberta UCP announces rules for contest to replace leader, premier
• Another UCP leadership candidate steps forward, Kenney shuffles cabinet
• Calgary cabinet minister running to replace Jason Kenney as UCP leader, premier
• Former Kenney cabinet minister Leela Aheer running to replace him as UCP leader
• Alberta finance minister stresses unity at campaign launch for UCP leadership
• Independent MLA Todd Loewen enters Alberta UCP leadership race

When it comes to Rempel Garner’s departure, Brown’s spokesman Chisholm Pothier said the campaign still enjoys her support and that she left to fulfil other obligations.

He added her leaving doesn’t change anything about the campaign’s organization.