The federal election campaign is in full swing with party leaders crisscrossing the country asking for residents' votes.
The Bow River riding is no exception, and as of March 27, the riding currently has three candidates vying to be the next Member of Parliament, (MP) with farmer David Bexte running for the Conservative Party of Canada, construction worker Louisa Gwin for the New Democratic Party, and financial planner and accountant Tom Lipp for the Christian Heritage Party.
Candidates for the Liberal Party of Canada, People's Party, and the Green Party in the riding have yet to be announced.
Gwin currently lives in Chestermere and has been working for a Calgary construction company for several years.
She says she knows it's an uphill battle to win in the Bow River, but she feels she's ready to take on the challenge.
"This is the first time I've run as a candidate in an election. I'm new, but I'm not afraid to face the challenge. I've done that my whole life."
The Bow River includes a huge area of southern Alberta which includes Strathmore, Chestermere, Drumheller, and all the way down to Lethbridge County.
"I think it's a beautiful place. I love that we have so many great communities. It's huge and the agriculture is really important to the Bow River riding, and I know when it comes to Alberta, we place a lot of importance on oil and gas, but I think that we need to place more importance on our agriculture," explained Gwin.
Ever since Gwin could vote, she says she's voted for NDP candidates.
"I've always been a supporter of the New Democrats my whole voting career. They resonate with me. We are for the working people, and we're made-up of working people and I'm just another regular working person, I want to make sure that we're taking the power out of the hands of the richest people, the oligarchs, the big corporations, and we want to put it back in the hands of regular everyday folk."
Gwin decided to get involved in the election after decisions that were made down south in the Trump administration.
"The reason that I have jumped into this, even though I've never done anything like this before, is watching what's happening to our American friends down south with the Trump administration is terrifying, and my heart breaks for all of them."
Mainstreet Research conducted a poll asking over 1,200 Canadians who they would vote for, and only 6 per cent of citizens said they would vote NDP.
Despite the poll, Gwin feels the NDP is stronger than it's ever been.
"The NDP's here to stay, and people that think we're going to lose our party status are wrong. But the NDP is stronger than we've ever been."
"I want people of the Bow River riding to know I'm here for them and I'm ready to fight for them and we're not going anywhere."
If Gwin were to be elected on April 28, she has a few policies she would fight to enact.
"I think one thing that is held in mind for a lot of people is inflation and affordability, it's so hard for everyone, we're one of the richest countries in the world and people shouldn't be worrying about having food on the table or paying for groceries."
"We want to set aside 100 per cent of suitable federal Crown lands, so we can build 100,000 rent-controlled homes. We want to scrap GST on basics like groceries and restaurants, and kids' clothing. We want to put a price cap on basic essentials for groceries so people can put dinner on the table, and we want to make more life-changing prescription drugs free for people."
As residents decide who is the best option for them Gwin has one piece of advice.
"Don't worry about strategic voting. This is your chance to have your voice heard. This is your chance to vote for the change that you want. Follow your heart and vote for what you want."
Voting day is April 28.