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>Saskatchewan Election 2003 - Ridings to watch > >As voters in Saskatchewan prepare to cast their >ballots, pundits acknowledge that the race is too >close to call. Indeed, this is borne out by a recent >newspaper poll that puts the incumbent NDP and upstart >Saskatchewan Party neck and neck. Conventional wisdom >dictates that the election will be won around several >key ridings whose outcomes could determine the >direction of the province over the next four years. >The following competitive races are certain to >entertain the keen political watchers, who tune in to >the election coverage November 5th. > >Saskatoon-Northwest: This riding is likely the most >watched in the province, with three political >heavyweights vying for the post of MLA. Controversial >finance minister and former Liberal leader Jim >Melenchuk tries his luck as a New Democrat against >former Saskatoon Man of the Year Ted Merriman for the >Saskatchewan Party, as well as ex-Catholic school >board superintendent Ken McDonough. This upscale seat >has been NDP and Liberal over the past ten years, but >is likely to punish Melenchuk for his appalling >handling of the provincial budget, as well as his >participation in the coalition government. Merriman >is said to be the odds on favourite, but the >personable and anti-abortion McDonough may capitalise >on a heavy pro-life element that resides in this seat. > >Saskatoon-Eastview: Incumbent NDP cabinet minister >Judy Junor faces a tight race against outgoing school >board trustee Robin Bellamy for the Saskatchewan >Party, as well as upstart Liberal Rob Norris. While >Bellamy will capitalise on his name recognition and >reputation for fiscal accountability, sources on the >ground indicate that the Liberal campaign has taken >flight, and could provide an upset on election night. >Junor, whose career as an MLA has been extremely >controversial, could conceivably come third. > >Saskatoon-Meewasin: Liberal leader David Karwacki has >yet to win a seat in Saskatchewan’s legislature, and >has targeted this riding as his beachhead. However, >his apparent lack of attention to this constituency, >especially in face of the dynamic campaigns of >Saskatchewan Party candidate Shelley Hengen and New >Democrat Frank Quennell could make this an interesting >three way race. Saskatchewan rarely shuts out a party >leader, but will Saskatoon-Meewasin be so kind to the >Grit chief? > >Yorkton: NDP Deputy Premier Clay Serby has held this >riding since 1991, but barely edged out the >Saskatchewan Party in 1999. Yorkton is considered an >urban riding, but its proximity to the country makes >it vulnerable to agriculture-related issues, which are >an achilles heel for the New Democrats. Saskatchewan >Party candidate Randy Atkinson is expected to put up a >tough fight, and could conceivably trounce Serby. The >Liberal candidate is not expected to make a >significant impact. > >Regina-Qu’Appelle Valley: Controversial highways >minister Mark Wartman faces an angry constituent base >in this rural-urban split riding. Once the fiefdom of >ex-Tory heavyweight Gary Lane, the NDP has held this >seat since 1991, and will have an uphill battle to >fend off civil servant Darlene Hincks. Wartman, who >has a reputation for a fiery temper, will need all the >vigour he can muster to keep his job. > >Melville: Perhaps the most interesting race in >Saskatchewan, given its colourful cast of characters. >One of the few Liberals elected in 1999, incumbent Ron >Osika quickly joined the coalition government with the >NDP. A former Liberal Party leader and Reform Party >nomination contender, Osika takes on Bob Bjornrud, who >also hails from a Liberal past, having joined the >Saskatchewan Party caucus in 1997. However, throw in >Independent candidate Grant Schmidt, who wrested the >Saskatchewan Party nomination from Bjornrud in March >only to have the decision of the riding’s membership >reversed a few weeks later, and the possibility of an >electoral backlash is in the cards.

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