The former Interim Leader of the United Conservative Party has been acclaimed as the party's candidate in the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills riding when Albertans head to the polls in the next provincial election.  

Nathan Cooper served as the interim leader prior to Jason Kenney being elected the first leader of the party.  In a media release, Kenney congratulated Cooper on his nomination saying, "I would like to congratulate Nathan Cooper on his acclamation as our party's candidate in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.  Nathan has served his constituents well over the past three years and has been a valuable member of our team both inside and outside the legislature"

Cooper is one of several high profile UCP candidates to be acclaimed in the nomination process, Kenney being another.  He was acclaimed in the riding of Calgary-Lougheed.

Other acclaimed UCP candidates include Jason Nixon in Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, Mike Ellis in Calgary-West, and Ric McIver in Calgary-Hays.

While those candidates were nominated without opposition, a local MLA doesn't have the same luxury.  Airdrie's Angela Pitt is seeking the party nomination in the redistributed riding of Airdrie East and is getting some high profile competition for the nomination.

Sportsnet Calgary Flames broadcaster Roger Millions is also letting his name stand for the nomination.

A Meet the Candidates event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in Airdrie's Hampton Inn.  The nomination meeting will be held on June 20th and goes from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm in the Town and Country Centre.   

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