Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to seek Calgary seat in next election

Advertisement

Advertise with us

EDMONTON - Alberta's NDP leader says he'll seek a Calgary seat in the next general vote instead of running for re-election in Edmonton.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

EDMONTON – Alberta’s NDP leader says he’ll seek a Calgary seat in the next general vote instead of running for re-election in Edmonton.

Naheed Nenshi, who was mayor of Calgary for 11 years before switching to provincial politics, announced his decision Thursday in an online letter to his constituents in Edmonton-Strathcona.

He says in the letter that he’s “thrilled every day” to serve as the member of Edmonton-Strathcona, but is making the move to represent the communities where he grew up and made much of his professional and political life.

Naheed Nenshi delivers his acceptance speech after being named as the new leader of the Alberta NDP in Calgary, Saturday, June 22, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Naheed Nenshi delivers his acceptance speech after being named as the new leader of the Alberta NDP in Calgary, Saturday, June 22, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

He also says the NDP needs to win more seats in Calgary, and that he’s “happy to be part of that battle.”

Nenshi’s byelection win in Edmonton-Strathcona in June 2025 came almost a year after he won the party’s leadership race to replace former premier Rachel Notley, who also represented the Edmonton constituency.

He won the byelection with more than 82 per cent of the vote.

“As you may know, we are in the midst of an illegitimate and corrupt process to redraw the electoral map. There will be legal challenges. Once we have a finalized (and hopefully fair!) map, I’ll announce which Calgary riding,” Nenshi wrote, referring to an ongoing review of provincial riding maps.

Nenshi has accused Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government of using the review to rig the next election.

The government has said it’s about ensuring there’s fair representation for rural areas.

Nenshi says in Thursday’s letter that he will continue to serve as representative of Edmonton-Strathcona until the next general election in October 2027.

“This will open up Edmonton-Strathcona for a new representative from this beautiful community,” he wrote. “I am informing you today so that the incredible constituency association in this riding has time for a healthy and robust nomination process to select a candidate and a future MLA worthy of representing you.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

National

LOAD NATIONAL ARTICLES