When Ian Donovan and Kerry Towle crossed the floor from the Wildrose to the PCs in November, few could have predicted it was the first trickle of what would become a flood. In December, nine more Wildrose MLAs followed, including leader Danielle Smith.
Since then, all but five have either bowed out of politics or lost their PC nomination races.
Smith lost out to Okotoks town councillor Carrie Fischer, effectively ending a political career that saw her lead the Wildrose from a fringe right-wing party to a real contender.
Under Smith, the party was expected to end the PC dynasty in 2012, but her inability, or unwillingness, to silence more extreme elements within the Wildrose fold resulted in a rush to the PC party in the dying days of the election, and another majority for the ruling party.
Smith’s defection to the PCs and the praise she heaped on Jim Prentice shocked many, including those left behind in her former party.
Rod Fox lost his nomination battle to Peter Dewit in Lacombe-Ponoka and Gary Bikman was edged out by Brian Brewin in Cardston-Taber-Warner.
The five floor-crossers who remain are facing tough battles in a race that has taken most observers by surprise.
In Chestermere-Rocky View, Bruce McAllister is being challenged by independent Jamie Lall, who was punted from the PC nomination contest the night before the contest.
That move prompted several members of the local riding association to quit, citing concerns over the lack of local decision making.
With a week to go before the election, Lall released text messages he received from former justice minister Jonathan Denis and PC party executive director Kelley Charlebois regarding his disqualification, much to the consternation of the PC campaign.
It was later revealed Lall was the subject of a restraining order from 2007.
In Medicine Hat, Blake Pederson is squaring off against Wildrose candidate Val Olson on his right flank, while in Calgary-Shaw, Jeff Wilson is fending off a slate of contenders including Brad Leishman from the Wildrose.
Ian Donovan is battling Wildrose contender David Schneider in Little Bow, while Kerry Towle is facing a conservative challenge from the Wildrose’s Don MacIntyre in Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.
