The Progressive Conservative Party has a new candidate for MLA in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
Tammy Cote surged ahead at the polls in last Saturday’s race receiving 593 of the 848 votes cast. Contender Terry Engen trailed with 255 votes.
The 52-year-old branch manager of ATB Financial in Rocky Mountain House said she is very excited about her win.
She noted that she received 50 of the 70 votes cast in Rimbey.
“Rimbey was very good to me. I am very grateful that I found very good people there who got behind me.”
Cote took the polls by a landslide in Rocky with 447 of the 509 voters casting their ballot in her favour. She also won in Caroline with 41 votes, compared to 16 for Engen.
Engen, the former reeve of Lacombe County, who lives in the Eckville area won polls in Bentley (22 to 6), Eckville (114-31) and Sundre (21 to 18).
Cote is the great-niece of Helen Hunley, who held several cabinet positions as a Tory MLA and was Alberta’s first female lieutenant governor. Born and raised in Rocky Mountain House, she based her platform on maintaining a commitment to fiscal responsibility, community, family values and rural principles.
“Action with integrity is my mandate,” she said. “I plan on working hard for the constituency. I am very grateful for their support.”
Cote is active in the Chamber of Commerce and the health centre fundraising committee. She has extensive training in business analysis and personal finances.
MLA Joe Anglin, who originally planned to run as a PC candidate, will now run as an Independent. Jason Nixon will represent the Wildrose Party as a candidate for MLA in the riding.