By Charles Lefebvre

UCP leadership race scandal likely to become election issue, says political scientist

Mar 18, 2019 | 5:49 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The recent “kamikaze campaign” scandal centering around United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney will become an issue during the upcoming spring election, a local political scientist predicts.

“This could be a big issue for the election,” said Jim Groom, a political science instructor with Medicine Hat College. “The election has to take place by the end of May, and this is very topical right at the current time.”

The scandal focuses on the campaign for the United Conservative Party leadership in 2017, specifically Jeff Callaway. Multiple outlets, including the CBC and the Edmonton Journal, have published reports, alleging Callaway was a “kamikaze candidate” who collaborated with Kenney’s campaign during the leadership race. It is alleged that Callaway targeted Jean during debates and other appearances, to allow Kenney to avoid making the attacks.

Callaway withdrew from the running before the vote and endorsed Kenney, who was elected leader of the party.

It is also alleged Callaway’s campaign received “irregular political contributions,” which is being investigated by the RCMP and the Alberta Elections Commissioner.

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Charges have not been filed, and any allegations have not been proven in court. Kenney has repeatedly denied the claims.

Groom says the scandal could have an impact on Kenney’s popularity, and he expects the NDP to bring up the scandal during the election campaign.

“It’s low-hanging fruit, it’s there for them, and they’re politicians, they’re going to take advantage of these things for sure,” he said.”

Groom adds he doesn’t believe the scandal will change the minds of die-hard supporters of any party, but he believes it will be on the minds of swing voters when they head to the polls.

“We have the folks that are solid NDP supporters in the Edmonton area, et cetera,” he said. “You have the folks that are UCP all the way and will never be swayed otherwise. And then, we have that swing vote in the middle, and it depends on how much of this information comes forward, how bad it sounds, and how much they have to wear it, before we know whether that swing vote will go NDP or UCP. And it’s never cut and dry.”