OPINION: Calling Up The Municipal Farm Team in Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, the starting pistol for the 2024 Provincial Election is about to go off, and as the October 28th provincial election looms large, one notable trend stands out: the prevalence of candidates with municipal political experience, particularly among the ranks of the governing Saskatchewan Party.
As Premier Scott Moe's party prepares to lock in another term in office, a significant number of candidates on their roster come armed with years of municipal governance under their belts, reflecting a growing tendency to "call up the farm team" from local politics to the provincial stage.
Municipal leaders across the province are also preparing for their own re-election bids in the coming weeks, but for some, the lure of the provincial capital is proving to be irresistible. The intersection between municipal and provincial politics, long a training ground for politicians seeking broader influence, is once again proving fertile ground for candidates who cut their teeth in local governance.
The October 28th provincial election sees a host of municipal veterans hoping to make the transition from the town hall to the legislature, and hopefully bringing with them not just political savvy but also an intimate understanding of the everyday issues affecting communities across the province.
For those contemplating a career in public service, municipal government is often seen as the “shallow end” of the political pool. It’s where many politicians first get their feet wet in governance and policy, making critical decisions that directly impact the day-to-day lives of their constituents. These elected officials deal with essential services such as roads, water, and emergency services, learning the ropes of budgets, regulations, and community outreach.
Saskatchewan’s upcoming election shows just how prominent this pathway has become, particularly for the Saskatchewan Party, whose candidate roster features an impressive slate of individuals with municipal experience.
In fact, 12 of the 61 candidates listed on the Saskatchewan Party website have served in some capacity within local governance—whether as mayors, reeves, councillors, or even administrators. Their experiences, in many ways, offer a robust political apprenticeship, equipping them with the skills and insights necessary to manage the larger-scale challenges of provincial politics.
The Saskatchewan Party's Municipal Bench
As Premier Scott Moe leads his party into the election, the Saskatchewan Party is the clear frontrunner in leveraging municipal talent. Some of the notable candidates with municipal backgrounds are expected to make waves in the election.
In the riding of Canora-Pelly, Sean Wilson, the current mayor of the Village of Buchanan, secured the Saskatchewan Party nomination after a competitive race against sitting MLA Terry Dennis. Similarly, Terri Bromm, a current councillor for Tisdale, will be defending the Saskatchewan Party stronghold of Carrot River Valley.
Over in Martensville-Blairmore, Jamie Martens, the deputy mayor of Martensville, hopes to turn that newly formed riding into a Saskatchewan Party stronghold. Brad Crassweller, a councillor for the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, is running in the newly created riding of White City-Qu'Appelle. With the creation of these two new electoral districts, the Saskatchewan Party is hoping candidates like Crassweller and Martens can secure additional seats in historically safe areas.
In Saskatchewan Rivers, the Saskatchewan Party faces one of its toughest electoral battles. Reeve of Prince Albert No. 461 Eric Schmalz is taking on Saskatchewan United Party MLA Nadine Wilson, herself a former reeve. Both candidates’ municipal backgrounds ensure that rural governance issues will be at the forefront of this contest, and the race could very well determine the fortunes of both parties in the northern region of the province.
Other Saskatchewan Party incumbents with municipal roots also stand out. Daryl Harrison in Cannington, Doug Steele in Cypress Hills, and Lori Carr in Estevan-Big Muddy all have municipal government experience, having served as councillors in their respective rural municipalities or urban municipalities. These candidates, now seasoned provincial politicians, continue to draw on their local governance experience to advocate for rural and urban communities alike.
While elected officials from municipal councils are prominently featured on the Saskatchewan Party’s slate, it’s also worth noting the presence of candidates with municipal administrative experience. These individuals, who have worked as administrators for towns and rural municipalities, bring an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of municipal government operations.
Minister of Energy Jim Reiter represents the most notable of these candidates. As a former president of the Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association of Saskatchewan, Reiter’s administrative experience complements his political acumen, having served in the provincial cabinet for multiple terms. Similarly, Kim Gartner, the current Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the town of Macklin, is running in Kindersley-Biggar.
Saskatchewan United: Municipal Roots Driving Opposition
Although the Saskatchewan Party leads in the number of candidates with municipal backgrounds, the Saskatchewan United Party is not far behind, with six candidates boasting similar experience. As a newly formed party that aims to challenge both the Saskatchewan Party and the NDP, Sask United has tapped into municipal leaders who share its vision of conservative governance.
In Kindersley-Biggar, the Saskatchewan United candidate is Jason Zbeeshko, a councillor for the Village of Perdue. Zbeeshko’s contest against Saskatchewan Party’s Kim Gartner sets up an intriguing race, pitting two municipal veterans against one another.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan United’s most high-profile candidate is none other than Nadine Wilson, the party’s sole sitting MLA, representing Saskatchewan Rivers.
Two notable Saskatchewan United candidates are Denis Allchurch, a former mayor of Spiritwood and MLA, running in Meadow Lake, and Former MLA and VIllage of Bladworth Greg Mrkich is looking to return to the Legislature in Saskatoon Southeast.
Cody Lockhart, a councillor for the Rural Municipality of Canwood, is hoping to unseat Premier Scott Moe in Rosthern-Shellbrook, while Dustin Plett, councillor for the Resort Village of Kannata Valley, is challenging the Saskatchewan Party in Regina Wascana Plains.
The NDP and Buffalo Party: Municipal Players in the Mix
The Saskatchewan NDP, which traditionally draws candidates from labour and education sectors, has fielded three candidates with elected municipal experience in this election.
In Cumberland, Jordan McPhail, a councillor for the Town of La Ronge, is defending an NDP stronghold after longtime MLA Doyle Vermette announced his retirement. In Kelvington-Wadena, former reeve Lorne Schroeder is the NDP’s hope for unseating Saskatchewan Party MLA Hugh Nerlien. While in Warman, Erica Baerwald, a councillor for the Town of Hepburn, is taking on Saskatchewan Party incumbent Terry Jenson.
Lastly, the Buffalo Party, which represents a more right-wing conservative faction, has also fielded a candidate with municipal experience in the riding of Cannington. Michelle Krieger, a councillor for the Town of Alameda, will be on the ballot.
Looking Ahead: The Path to October 28th
As the provincial election date draws near, the significance of municipal experience in shaping Saskatchewan’s political landscape cannot be overstated. Candidates across the political spectrum are drawing from their years of service in town halls and rural councils to make their case for a seat in the provincial legislature.
The Saskatchewan Party’s decision to recruit from municipal governments speaks to its strategy of grounding its candidates in local governance and rural issues, areas where the party traditionally dominates. Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan United Party is banking on its own roster of municipal leaders to challenge the political establishment.
Over the next 40 days, The Cross Border Network will be keeping a close eye on these candidates, particularly in the ridings where municipal experience may make the difference between victory and defeat.
With municipal leaders often deeply connected to their communities, their success in transitioning to provincial politics could significantly shape Saskatchewan’s political future.
Be sure to tune in Election night to the Cross Border Network YouTube Channel for our live show from Downtown Regina.
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