Lloydminster area rancher James Thorsteinson, the former president of the Saskatchewan Party, is seeking the nomination to represent Lloydminster in the October 2024 provincial election. Supplied Photo
James Thorsteinson is holding his first meet and greet in Lloydminster to seek support for his bid to become the Saskatchewan Party candidate in the 2024 provincial general election.
Thorsteinson will be at the Microtel Inn and Suites on Oct. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. to boost his chances.
The meeting is timed in advance of the nomination vote in Paradise Hill on Nov. 30 when Thorsteinson hopes to replace Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young.
“I’m more than happy to answer any questions they have regarding why I am running and address any issues they have and what they see as their big issues,” said Thorsteinson.
“That’s what’s important to me, what the issues are for them. I’m not going in there with my own agenda. I want to hear what constituents have to say and take those forward to Regina.”
Thorsteinson is a fourth-generation cattle rancher east of Lloydminster who is familiar with issues voters are facing in the constituency.
“Healthcare, of course, is top of mind for everybody, it always is and some of the affordability issues that people are facing right now and the economy, that’s a lot of it. Those are the two biggest,” Thorsteinson said.
He recently stepped down as president of the Saskatchewan Party after serving nearly nine years, hoping to become the next Lloydminster MLA.
He says in order to vote in the nomination process, you have to be a member of the Sask Party seven days prior to the nomination meeting.
Thorsteinson will have memberships available at the Microtel meeting.
He says both he and Young are trying to recruit members and get supporters to come to the nomination meeting.
“Whoever gets the most votes at the nomination meeting becomes the nominated candidate in the 2024 general election,” said Thorsteinson.
“There still could be somebody else who put their name in. The deadline hasn’t passed for that either.”
If Young wins the nomination, she’ll be seeking her fourth term in the Legislature.
Thorsteinson has been already pitching his nomination bid at meetings in Pierceland, Paradise Hill, Hillmond and a bunch of small community meetings with people and hearing what their concerns are.
He says it’s going well for him so far.
“People are telling me they are looking for some change; it’s time to have a fresh face representing this area in Regina and they’re quite happy that I’m doing what I’m doing,” said Thorsteinson.
“Different MLAs have different shelf lives. Some like Donna Harpauer and Don Morgan have been there quite a while. Others’ shelf lives aren’t quite as long,” he said.
“Some MLAs can stick around for a long time and some two terms (which) is about what their shelf lives would be.”
