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Mueller says his campaign had backlash at times

Apr 17, 2019 | 1:27 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — In the 2015 Alberta election, the New Democratic Party beat out the Progressive Conservative Party, marking an end to its 44 year rule.

However, following the 2019 election, the NDP has been reduced to 25 seats.

Which is disappointing for Cypress-Medicine Hat NDP candidate Peter Mueller.
“I’m very, very disappointed,” says Mueller. “There were times where I really thought things were going to be different, certain neighbourhoods were very supportive, very friendly, they cheered us on and so every now and then it felt that there was a good chance that this might turn around.”

Both ridings in Medicine Hat elected UCP candidates. Michaela Glasgo in Brooks-Medicine Hat, and Drew Barnes in Cypress-Medicine Hat.

Cypress-Medicine Hat has elected right-wing parties since 1993, and Mueller says the NDP message was not well received on many local doorsteps.

“There were rude things going on or confronting us,” says Mueller. “The destruction of our signs for example, that wasn’t anybody that I could blame, but there were no UCP signs destroyed, just saying.”

NDP signs were also vandalized in other parts of the province, another sign of the negative tone for the election campaign.

Leading to what Elizabeth Thomson, constituency association president for the local NDP campaign, says is a rough environment for supporters.

“It’s just really really difficult because some people are still scared to announce that they’re an NDP supporter,” says Thomson.

Thomson hopes the results of this election won’t deter people more from being honest about their political beliefs.

“When you’ve got people who are scared to say they’re an NDP supporter, that’s not how democracy works unfortunately, so we need to make it so people are proud to say they’re NDP supporters,” she said.

In the meantime, the United Conservatives are beginning their four year term, with the NDP as the Official Opposition.

Mueller says he’s stepping away from politics after this provincial race.