By Chris Brown

County councillor to seek UCP nomination in Cypress-Medicine Hat

Dec 20, 2022 | 4:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After five years serving Cypress County, one councillor is looking to move up to provincial politics.

Robin Kurpjuweit announced Monday he will run for the United Conservative Party nomination in Cypress-Medicine Hat.

“I see a lot of great ways that the region can benefit from people stepping forward that have that municipal experience and can bring some of the regional concerns forward,” Kurpjuweit says. “And I think, ultimately, I feel like I can help make a difference. I have a great passion for the community here, not only Cypress County but the region as a whole.”

Kurpjuweit says water security and value-added initiatives in the ag sector, the full twinning of Highway 3 and attracting investment to the region are issues he would bring to Edmonton.

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He says it’s been clear during his time on county council that the region needs more attention and support, and the biggest issue he’s heard from people is that they want someone who can be a strong advocate and voice for this corner of the province.

Kurpjuweit believes he can be that advocate and voice.

“We’ve had some strong representation down here for a lot of years,” he says. “I know that in the last couple of years some people have been frustrated or concerned maybe in the level of voice that we have at the table, having the conversations, advocating for the region and so I think that’s something that I can do well.”

Drew Barnes has represented Cypress-Medicine Hat since 2012 and was re-elected Drew Barnes under the UCP banner in 2019. He has represented the riding as an Independent since he was kicked out of caucus then-premier Jason Kenney in May 2021.

James Finkbeiner has also announced his intention to run for the nomination. No nomination date has been set by the party.