The Saskatchewan Party is hoping that will be the case for their newest candidate after Tim McLeod was named the nominee for Moose Jaw North by acclamation during their nomination meeting Monday at the Heritage Inn.
The meeting was all but a formality, as McLeod had declared his intent to seek the position late last year and no other candidates stepped forward to take on his challenge.
“It’s nice that I didn’t have to run a campaign for the nomination and I’m honoured to be the candidate that people in Moose Jaw North selected,” McLeod said shortly after officially accepting the honour. “Right now, I just want to get out on people’s doorsteps and introduce myself and hear from them, what their interests are and what their concerns are.”
McLeod – a partner at the local law firm Chow & McLeod Barristers and Solicitors – will succeed long-time Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson and brings with him a wealth of public experience not only working with Michelson’s executive but also as a trustee with the Prairie South School Division, most recently as the board chair.
“I think my profession naturally lends itself well to representing people, and I’ve spent 10 years on Warren’s Moose Jaw North Sask. Party constituency board, so just watching the work that transpires and representing people, it seemed like a natural fit,” McLeod said.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s taking over from an MLA with a wealth of experience and a track record of impressive success representing his constituents.
“I think Warren did a fantastic job of building a profile for the Sask Party in Moose Jaw North and I’m anxious and excited to have the opportunity to try and carry the torch and build on what he’s worked so hard to establish,” McLeod said.
Michelson himself is more than happy to see such a strong candidate take over as his successor. He’s retiring from politics after his term ends next year.
“Tim was very gracious about it, he came to me about a year ago and said ‘Warren, I’m interested and if you’re running again, I’m not. But when you’re ready let me know’” Michelson said. “So we had a good conversation and it seemed that for me, in the back of my mind, this would be my final term… it’s been a great run, I appreciate it and the support I’ve had, and it’s a good feeling to pass it over to someone like Tim who has very in-depth interest in it.
“He has a high profile in the community, he’s very knowledgeable, the president of the school board… I don’t think I could have hand-picked a better candidate and I’m very pleased that he’s running.”
With the election more than a year and a half away on Nov. 2, 2020, there’s plenty of time to put plans in motion and develop a platform – but McLeod is plenty aware of the work that’s going to involve given his time with Michelson’s campaign in the past.
“I’m certainly not taking anything for granted at this point,” McLeod said. “We’re going to have to run a campaign, there’s a lot of doors to knock and a lot of people to meet, but if I’m fortunate enough to be elected I certainly am excited to be in the Legislature and work hard for Premier Moe.”
