Graham Abela is currently one of three men running to be the new Conservative candidate for the Bow River MP riding.
Abela has been living in Taber for almost 50 years and currently serves as the chief of police for Taber police.
"My father brought us in here in 1977 and opened up Hostess Foods here," said Abela. "In 1994, I joined the Taber police service and served the community since that time. I was commissioned in 2003 as an inspector, and in 2016 I was promoted to the chief of police position."
Abela also served as an auxiliary police officer, a volunteer firefighter, and a local sports coach.
"All my life I've been called for service. I've always had a strong desire to give back and make a difference in people's lives. After 31 years I still have that calling to go forward, and I think the next logical step is to be a Member of Parliament."
As a candidate, Abela has based his platform around retaining the rights and freedoms of Canadians, keeping citizens safe from corruption, and to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
"People have a responsibility for their actions, and if they break the law, or commit serious criminal offences, their liberty should be taken away from them until they get a trial," said Abela about the catch-and-release system.
"I do understand there is due process, and everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but this is a common-sense position that I have, and it worked for years prior to the legal change that happened a couple of years ago."
Abela is running to be the Conservative candidate against JL DeCosta and David Bexte. The former works alongside current MP Martin Shields as the Director of Parliamentary Affairs, while the latter is a farmer from the Bow River riding.
"I've met David with a handshake, but JL I know better. I've been to Ottawa several times to meet JL and Martin, and I have experience in Ottawa lobbying for the Alberta Federation of Police Association," added Abela. "I think he's a fine young man. It would be my position that what we need right now is a representative with a little bit more leadership and experience."
Shields announced in early February that he would not be running for re-election in the upcoming 2025 federal election.