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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. fag

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