Prime Minister Jason Kenny’s cabinet is considering replacing him in the upcoming United Conservative Party race.
Transport Minister Rajan Sony and Environment Minister Jason Nixon said on Monday that they were considering running for leadership.
Sawhney, the UCP MLA for Calgary Northeast, said he wanted to consult with family, voters and Alberts before making a decision.
“I haven’t decided yet,” she said. “I’m still thinking.”
Nixon, who serves as leader of the House of Commons in addition to his duties as environment and parks minister, said he is focusing on passing government bills by the end of the spring session.
“I will decide what I think is best for the party,” Nixon said. “Make sure we stay united and defeat the NDP in a little over a year.”
Finance Minister Travis Toyus is rumored to be running for the top post in the ruling party. On Monday, he would not confirm or deny his interest, saying he was focused on business in the legislature.
“There are many details yet to be determined by the party,” Tows told reporters in the legislature. “We are currently focused on people’s business.”
Last week, Kenny announced his resignation as UCP leader after receiving 51.4% approval in a leadership review. He plans to remain prime minister and party leader until a permanent leader is elected.
Former Wildrose leader Daniel Smith and Fort McMurray-Lac la Biche MLA Brian Jean took part in the race.
Jean is also a former Wildrose leader who merged with the former Progressive Conservative Party in 2017 to form the UCP. Jean lost to Kenny in the 2017 race for leadership, which remains under investigation by the RCMP over allegations of voter fraud.
On Monday, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweizer said he was not running for leadership or running for MLA in 2023. Schweizer was first elected to Calgary-Elbow in 2019.
Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, Higher Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and Health Minister Jason Kopping have ruled out the candidacy for leadership.
Both Shandro and Nicolaides plan to seek a second term as an MLA in their respective Calgary-Acadia and Calgary-Bow rides.
The party has not yet announced the timetable for the leadership race.
The next provincial elections are scheduled for May 2023.
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