Tim McLeod felt the time as right to step out from behind the scenes with the Saskatchewan Party.
The Moose Jaw lawyer announced Thursday we is seeking the Saskatchewan Party nomination for the constituency of Moose Jaw North for the 2020 provincial election. McLeod pursued the nomination after incumbent MLA Warren Michelson announced he wasn't seeking re-election after first winning the seat in 2007.
McLeod, one of the named partners in Chow McLeod Barristers & Solicitors along with David Chow, has been a trustee on the Prairie South School Board since 2012 and currently serves as Chair. For the past 10 years, McLeod has served on the Moose Jaw North Saskatchewan Party constituency board of directors, including three years as president. He has also represented the Constituency Board on the Provincial Council, where he provides input into policy and decision-making for the Saskatchewan Party.
"As my career has slowly developed and grown I have been slowly getting more and more involved in politics," McLeod said. "Being a school board trustee was my first taste of elected politics and I enjoyed my time on the Prairie South School Board very much. I've been on Warren Michelson's board of directors for Moose Jaw North for the last 10 years and I've very much enjoyed my time there.
"I've had enough exposure now to the political arena that I recognize that my career choice pairs well with politics and I think I would be a suitable candidate if the people of Moose Jaw North will have me."
McLeod's behind-the-scenes work should leave him well-versed in policy matters, McLeod said that he learned a lot over the years working closely along with Michelson.
"I have a ton of respect for Warren and how hard he works," McLeod said. "He's certainly a man on the ground who isn't afraid to go door-to-door and hear from the people. I've admired his passion for the position that he's held. He's given me a lot of great tools to put in the tool box if I were to ever be blessed with the opportunity to sit in the same seat."
In order to try to secure the nomination and be approved by the party membership as the candidate, McLeod is hoping to get out in the community as much as possible and to meet the constituents of Moose Jaw North.
"I try to be an open book," McLeod said. "I want people to know about me. If I'm asking to represent them they need to know who I am and what I'm about. I try to be accessible to anybody who is interested in getting to know me better."
The next provincial election must be held by Oct. 26, 2020. The Moose Jaw North annual general meeting is scheduled for March 6. Immediately following the AGM will be the nomination planning meeting where they will set a date for the nomination meeting.
McLeod and his wife Tenielle were both raised in Saskatchewan and moved to Moose Jaw in 2005. The couple have three children and McLeod has been a volunteer minor hockey coach for six years as well as coaching soccer and fastball.
