Re: Saskatchewan Election 2003 - Ridings to Watch -- Sask. Ridings To Watch

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Date Posted: 13:25:02 11/06/03 Thu
Author: gdg
Subject: Re: Saskatchewan Election 2003 - Ridings to Watch
In reply to: Peter Ryan 's message, "Saskatchewan Election 2003 - Ridings to Watch" on 12:35:13 10/26/03 Sun

>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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