In a late night Facebook post on Wednesday November 3rd, Brian Jean the former Leader of the Opposition and MLA for Fort McMurray announced he was seeking the United Conservative Party (UCP) nomination for the upcoming Fort McMurray - Lac La Biche by-election.
In the Facebook post, Jean said that he has been in discussion with residents and heard them loud and clear, "Something must be done or Rachel Notley will win the next election with an overwhelming majority. That will be bad for Alberta."
The Facebook Post stated that Jean has filed his paperwork with Elections Alberta.
He is the second candidate to announce his intentions to seek the nomination of the UCP.
Jean stepped down from politics in 2018, after a bitter leadership election which was ultimately won by Premier Jason Kenney.
He served as leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta from 2015 to 2017, during that time he was the MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin.
Prior to entering provincial politics Jean was the Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray- Athabasca.
When Jean stepped down from elected politics in 2018, Laila Goodridge won the UCP nomination and went on to win the by-election in Fort McMurray-Athabasca.
In August, Goodridge announced her resignation as MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche, to run for the Federal Conservatives in the federal riding of Fort McMurray-Cold Lake.
Jean will need the approval of current UCP Leader Jason Kenney to run under the conservative banner.
The date of the by-election has not been set.