It's election season in Saskatchewan.
Premier Scott Moe has announced he'll be visiting Saskatchewan Lieutenant-Governor Russell Mirasty on Tuesday to dissolve parliament.
The election is slated for Monday, October 28th.
"You will have a choice to make," Moe said in his announcement. "Do you want to keep our economy strong and our future bright, or do you want to go back to what it was like under the NDP? Losing people, losing jobs and closing schools and hospitals.
"These are uncertain times here in Canada and around the world, and our federal government, propped up by the NPD, is just making things worse. But the Saskatchewan Party has a proven track record and a plan for a great future, so let's keep Saskatchewan's economy strong."
Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leader Carla Beck had an opening salvo of her own on X.
"No matter how — or if — you voted in the past," Beck wrote. "Everybody needs to see a doctor, has a relative in a nursing home, knows somebody with kids in school, or has been feeling the rising price of groceries. Saskatchewan deserves better, and we have an incredible story to tell."
The 2020 provincial election saw Moe's Saskatchewan Party win 48 of 61 seats and 61.12% of the popular vote.
A recent Angus Reid Institute poll suggested a closer race than we have seen since 2007 with the NDP within 7% of the incumbents.
There are five ridings that touch Swift Current and our surrounding area. They are all currently represented by Saskatchewan Party Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Saskatchewan Minister of Health Everett Hindley has represented Swift Current since a 2018 by-election. He received 78.44% of the vote in 2020. His announced opponents include Jay Kimball for the NDP and George Watson for the Green Party. Watson also ran in 2020 and had 1.73% of the vote.
Doug Steele has represented Cypress Hills since 2016. He had 65.13% of the vote in 2020. His announced opponents include Clare McNab for the NDP and Clayton Cave for the Green Party.
Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Dave Marit has represented Wood River since 2016. He received 82.79% of the vote in 2020. His announced opponents include Mike Topola for the NDP and Todd McIntyre for the Saskatchewan United Party.
Blaine McLeod has represented Lumsden-Morse since a by-election in August of 2023. He received 53.42% of the vote. His announced opponents include Saskatchewan United Party leader Jon Hromek, Chauntel Baud for the NDP and Isaiah Hunter for the Green Party. Hromek placed second in the 2023 by-election with 22.69% of the vote.
Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources Jim Reiter has represented the newly rebranded riding of Rosetown-Delisle since 2007. He received 77.70% of the vote in 2020. His announced opponents include Brenda Edel for the NDP and Sein Muirhead for the Green Party.
The Saskatchewan Party has governed the province since the 2007 provincial election. The NDP last held the balance of power from 1991 to 2007.