Beaudry-Mellor first entry in race to replace Brad Wall

The leadership race to become the next premier of Saskatchewan has its first participant.

Tina Beaudry-Mellor, currently minister of social services, has announced her intention to run for the Sask. Party leadership post.

In a statement, the Regina University MLA said she made the decision to run after discussing it with her family.

“I think it is safe to say no one will ever fill the shoes of Premier Brad Wall,” she said.

“I will state here that I am not going to try. Besides, I prefer high heels.”

The long-time university instructor said she couldn’t watch from the sidelines during the leadership race, after encouraging younger generations to take opportunities to get involved.

Beaudry-Mellor said people might point out her lack of experience in being an elected official, given she was first elected in the 2016 general election.

She said this shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing.

“If this is really about renewal then I see this as an advantage, not a disadvantage.”

She said she would look at balancing the budget, diversifying the economy and opposing the carbon tax.

“Saskatchewan’s best days are still ahead of it and I cannot wait to get going.”

MP Trost also considering run

With much of the speculation following Brad Wall’s retirement announcement focused on current Sask. Party cabinet ministers,  a name from outside the party ranks has also been generating some buzz.

Conservative MP Brad Trost told 650 CKOM that despite the rumours, he wasn’t ready to make any official announcement one way or the other.

Having  taken a run at the federal Tory leadership earlier this year, Trost said he has a good idea of what the contest for the Sask. Party’s top job would require.

“You need money, you need infrastructure and you need some internal party support. If you can line up those three, then you have to decide if it’s what you want to do in your gut and make the family decision from there,” he said.

Trost said he had no illusions that a provincial race would necessarily be easier than his recent federal campaign.

“It’s a lot more intense and you have to be a lot more person-to-person, because that’s where all the voters are. They can all meet you personally in this leadership race. In the national one, that’s pretty hard,” he said.