Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Ken Kowalski vowed to extend his more than 30-year reign in provincial politics, putting to bed earlier speculation he might retire.
First elected in 1979, Kowalski told a roomful of supporters at the Barrhead Golf Club that he would seek his tenth term whenever the next election is called.
“I would like you to know that, with no conditions, with no equivocation, I intend on being a candidate for the contest to be the candidate for the PC association of Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock in the next election.”
Kowalski said he and his wife recently received a positive prognosis for a health issue she’s been battling and that was a major factor in his decision to contest another campaign.
He told his supporters he had to ask himself a number of questions — whether he had the energy, the drive and the passion to keep working and ultimately whether he still wanted to be an MLA.
“The answer to that question is yes! I want to do it again,” Kowalski declared to a round of applause.
Kowalski said members of the constituency association circulated nomination papers on his behalf, which drew a strong response, also a clear sign that people wanted him to run yet again.
“I understand some 500 people have signed that nomination form. I am overwhelmed by that, I am absolutely overwhelmed by that,” he said.
Kowalski told his gathered supporters that he does not expect a provincial election this fall but he will be ready if that happens.
“Should I be successful as your candidate, I am going to give you my pledge that I will work as hard as I have ever worked before,” he said.
He said he might not be able to run as fast as he once did but said he would continue to offer the same dedication.
After the announcement, Kowalski said he has always focused on his job as a local MLA and on the problems of his constituents.
“The most important job in the whole system is to be the MLA, not to be the minister or the speaker, and the day you forget that it is the people who elected you that you serve, is the day you run rocky waters.”
Kowalski is the longest serving MLA in the provincial legislature and has served under the last four premiers. Kowalski has served for multiple terms as speaker. He also had several cabinet posts including environment, public safety, public works, supply services, career development and employment and minister of economic development and tourism.
He also served as house leader and deputy premier.
