The Sask. Party has set Thursday, Feb. 1, as the nomination meeting for party members to select the new candidate for the Moose Jaw-Wakamow constituency to replace outgoing incumbent Greg Lawrence.
Lawrence has been the MLA for the riding since 2011 but announced on Sept. 26 that he would not be seeking re-election in the 2024 provincial election following a single-vehicle motorcycle accident on Aug. 3 that left him with serious injuries.
“I had planned to run again, but after sustaining serious injuries in a motorcycle accident last month, my recovery has been more challenging than I expected,” Lawrence said in an announcement at the time. “I need to focus on my health and rehabilitation and that’s why I have decided not to seek re-election.”
Lawrence was first elected during the 2011 provincial election, winning by 201 votes over NDP incumbent Deb Higgins. Lawrence then won by 695 votes over NDP candidate Karen Purdy during the 2016 election and won by 822 votes over NDP candidate Melissa Patterson in 2020.
Megan Patterson — not to be confused with the NDP’s Melissa Patterson — announced earlier this year that she would once again seek the Sask. Party nomination for next year’s election. Patterson also ran in the 2020 contest when Lawrence won his third term as an MLA.
Megan Patterson has already held one community event — a get-together in late September at the Kinsmen Café — and plans to hold another event called “Coffee Talk” on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Church of Our Lady at 566 Vaughan Street on South Hill.
“White Ribbon Donuts” will be available at the event. These were purchased from Moose Jaw Co-op to support the Men’s Night “Out in the Cold” on Friday, Nov. 24. Moose Jaw Co-op is donating 100 per cent of the proceeds to the Moose Jaw Transition House.
“I want to continue to meet with constituents from Moose Jaw Wakamow to hear about their concerns and priorities so that I can position myself to make Moose Jaw an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” Patterson said in a statement.
For Sask. Party members in the Moose Jaw-Wakamow constituency who want to vote in the nomination meeting they must have an updated membership and must attend the meeting in person.
So far, no other party member besides Megan Patterson has let his or her name stand for nomination. If someone else does step forward, there will be a vote during the meeting. If there is only one candidate, Patterson will be acclaimed.
“I am so honoured to be the NDP candidate in Wakamow once again,” she said at the time. “I’ve lived in Moose Jaw my whole life. The promise of our city is so great. What we need now is a government that will work with local voices and realize the potential of our city and our province.”
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