Grant Berg will represent the Alberta Party in the new Grande Prairie riding when an election is called this spring. The art gallery owner and former broadcaster was confirmed as the local candidate Thursday.
Berg announced he was seeking the nomination in October 2018 and has spent his time since then door-knocking around the city. He says that while he has met several supporters of the United Conservative Party and the NDP, he’s been pleasantly surprised by the warmth he and the Alberta Party are getting.
“I feel that there is a major silent majority of people that politically would fall right in line with the Alberta Party: the politically homeless. They don’t know where to vote and they’re not confident in the bickering back and forth.”
Speaking to residents, Berg says he’s heard a lot of frustration, as well as concerns about vote splitting. However, the local sculptor downplays the latter, saying he believes the party could gain enough support to take “significant bites” out of the major parties.
“I think they’re both scared because NDP voters aren’t going to go for the UCP and vice versa, so when they’re looking at where they’re going to lose voters, with each party it’s us.”
Berg has lived in Grande Prairie for 27 years, spending 25 of those at radio stations including 104.7 2day FM, before opening his own gallery downtown. Next, he says he’ll be going to Red Deer for candidate training and to make plans for Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel to visit Grande Prairie.
The only other candidate in the Grande Prairie riding so far is the UCP’s Tracy Allard. A nomination meeting for the New Democrats has been set for February 3rd.
Welcome to #TeamAlbertaParty, @GrantCBerg! The Grande Prairie resident is a small business owner, visual and performing arts advocate and former radio broadcaster. Grant is carrying the #ABparty banner in Grande Prairie. #ableg #abvote #abpoli #gpab #WeAreAlberta pic.twitter.com/abcbTEOO9w
— Alberta Party (@AlbertaParty) January 17, 2019
