Although he's likely to receive other challenges for his seat in the Banff-Airdrie riding in the federal election of 2019, Blake Richards says he welcomes the first person to throw their hat into the ring.  

Richards was responding to yesterday's (November 21) announcement that Nick Flaumitsch of Airdrie will run as an Independent in the riding during next year's campaign.

Richards says he's met Flaumitsch and believes he'll add to the conversation in Banff-Airdrie.

"I got to know Nick a little bit.  I remember knocking on his door when I was out door knocking in his community a little more than a year ago.  I remember having a good conversation with him and he was a person who was certainly engaged and paying a lot of attention to what's happening on a government level.  I invited him out to one of the community breakfasts that I do from time to time and he was a good contributor to the conversation we had that morning and challenged some people to think a little differently.  I think he'll have something to contribute when it comes to the debates and I certainly welcome that conversation."

Flaumitsch is running as an Independent because he's not in favour of the party system.  He says being in a party doesn't give politicians the freedom to vote their conscience, having instead to vote along party lines at all times.  Richards says it will be difficult for an Independent to get elected.

"It is incredibly difficult for Independents, there's no question about that in our system.  It's not unprecedented, there have been Independents who have won in elections, so it certainly is possible for someone to really catch a chord."

Richards says regardless of who challenges him for his seat in parliament, he's going to let his record speak for itself.

"I've tried to be a good, strong representative for the riding and reach out and engage with people, including Nick himself, and that means people from all different viewpoints.  I think I'll put my record up in that regard and let people make their own decision.  Good for him for stepping forward.  I think it takes a lot of courage to put your name on the ballot, especially without the weight of a party machinery behind you.  I wish him the best of luck.  Well, maybe not too much luck, but I hope he finds the experience a good one."

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