Former cabinet minister and failed United Conservative leadership candidate Leela Aheer has announced she will not run for the UCP in next spring’s provincial election.
Incidentally, Leela Aheer is the only UCP leadership challenger who Premier Danielle Smith did not appoint to cabinet.
In a statement posted to Twitter on Wednesday morning, Aheer appears to leave the door open for a new political endeavour — just not with the UCP.
I am so unbelievably grateful for the time I have been privileged to serve all Albertans. Today, I decided I will not run for the United Conservative Party in the next election. #eternaloptimist #Alberta #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/elaExMjED3
— Leela Sharon Aheer (@LeelaAheer) October 26, 2022
Aheer has had a tumultuous couple of years with the UCP. Before her unsuccessful leadership bid, Kenney punted her from his cabinet in July 2021 after she became one of his loudest critics and called for his resignation. Kenney denied the demotion was related to her comments.
