Nenshi leads support for NDP caucus, but rivals remain optimistic

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A week before the membership deadline, former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is drawing crowds and leading support for the NDP caucus, but his rivals are far from willing to concede.

While no one within the party provided figures on NDP memberships sold by each of the five campaigns, Nenshi’s ability to sell them soon after entering the race last month far outpaced other hopefuls and won over former candidate Edmonton MLA Rakhi Pancholi to quit and Bear it.

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At the time, he claimed that Nenshi had doubled the party’s membership, which stood at 16,224 as of December 31.

And the Calgarian also has the endorsement of nine current NDP caucus members, one more than rival Calgary challenger Kathleen Ganley, while Edmonton MLA Sarah Hoffman has added four.

Edmonton MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse has two caucus endorsements, while Alberta Federation of Labor president Gil McGowan has none.

Nenshi’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment by mid-afternoon Monday, but on X, formerly Twitter, the candidate touted two full houses over the weekend at his events in lethbridge and Red Deer.

“The support continues to grow and the feeling of togetherness brings a lot of hope,” posted Nenshi from Red Deer.

He also trumpeted the caucus’ latest endorsement: Calgary-Glenmore MLA Nagwan Al-Guneid.

NDP rivals continue campaigning

But his rivals say they are still in it to win, and Ganley insists his campaign has been gaining momentum.

“I think last week we sold the most memberships…we’re selling thousands online and in print and that feels pretty solid,” Ganley said.

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“I have a lot of respect for Naheed, he’s a great name, but it’s not a sure thing for anyone.”

It’s likely, he said, that a candidate from Calgary will win the race.

There are many undecided people his campaign is targeting with platforms that focus on affordability, from offering public auto insurance to ensuring electricity rates are lower, Ganley said.

Hoffman continued to attack Nenshi’s NDP bona fides, suggesting he is not a team player who would leave the scene if he fails to win the leadership.

“People understand that I will be building the party for decades to come; I’m not a newcomer,” Hoffman said.

“I feel very good when I travel around the province; I will win.”

His focus on climate change, housing and health care and public solutions to those problems have resonated.

He was in Calgary on Tuesday to unveil a health care policy that includes hiring 1,000 new doctors and up to 3,000 clinical assistants, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

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Nenshi has said that if he does not win the leadership, his permanence in the party’s ranks will depend on the role assigned to him by the winning candidate within the NDP.

But in a written message, union member McGowan acknowledged that Nenshi “is far ahead, there is a good chance that he will win in the first vote. But if he doesn’t, surprising things could happen.”

He said he was encouraged by the reception he received when running with the other candidates.

“I’ve gotten better responses from the crowd than others, including Nenshi. Maybe that will not be enough, but we will keep trying,” he stated.

McGowan has pledged to bring working-class Albertans back into the party and develop industrial policies that accommodate the energy transition.

Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi, one of two Calahoo Stonehouse caucus supporters, said the candidate’s commitment to addressing Alberta’s water shortages during the climate change crisis deserves broader support.

“She is focusing on water and working with communities on water-based solutions,” Elmeligi, a wildlife biologist, said in a supporting video.

“She is so passionate and energized not only to displace the UCP from power but also to build a progressive movement that will last a long time.”

The political scientist believes that Nenshi will win “in the first vote”

Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, said Nenshi will be virtually impossible to beat.

“(It will be) Nenshi on the first vote,” he said in an email.

The first race leaders debate will be held on April 25 in Lethbridge, and the second in Calgary on May 11.

A new leader will be elected on June 22 to succeed Rachel Notley.

[email protected]

X (Twitter): @BillKaufmannjrn

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