Top 10 closest races of Alberta's 2019 election

How the nail biters of 2019 election are shaping up in 2023

A map showing the 10 closest ridings in Alberta’s 2019 election (source: CanadianPolling.ca)

With just 48 days left until Election Day in Alberta and increasing talk about how close the May 29, 2023 election could be, today I am taking a look at the ridings that were home to the closest races of the last provincial election and how they are shaping up in 2023.

With most voter intention polls showing that the province-wide race between the United Conservative Party and the Alberta NDP in 2023 will be much closer than in 2019, some of these races are probably not going to be as close again this year.

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Top 10 closest races of Alberta's 2019 election

10. Edmonton-Decore

In 2019: NDP win by 7.6%

In 2023: Incumbent MLAs usually have an easy time winning their party’s nomination to run for re-election but the NDP race in this riding was an exception. Africa Centre executive director Sharif Haji defeated two-term NDP MLA Chris Nielsen to become the NDP candidate. Haji will face United Conservative Party candidate Sayid Ahmed, a public servant and activist in the Conservative Black Congress of Canada.

Candidates in 2023

• Sayid Ahmed, UCP

• Sharif Haji, NDP

• Brent Tyson, Alberta Party

9. St. Albert

In 2019: NDP win by 6.2%

In 2023: NDP MLA Marie Renaud is running for a third-term in this affluent suburban city adjacent to northwest of Edmonton. Renaud is well-liked and respected in the riding. The UCP have chosen past mayoral candidate Angela Wood, who has profile from her municipal run and has had fundraising support from outside the riding, including a fundraiser in Fox Creek hosted by Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen.

Candidates in 2023

• Marie Renaud, NDP

• Angela Wood, UCP

8. Sherwood Park

In 2019: UCP win by 5.4%

In 2023: Canada’s biggest hamlet is going to be a race to watch in this election. First-term UCP MLA Jordan Walker is being challenged by solar energy expert Kyle Kasawski. There is a lot of focus on Calgary as the battleground in this election but Sherwood Park is one of a handful of ridings surrounding Edmonton that the NDP will need to win in order to secure enough seats to form government. Sherwood Park was home to the second highest voter turnout in 2019 at 76.6 per cent.

Candidates in 2023

• Kyle Kasawski, NDP

• Jacob Stacey, Liberal

• Sue Timanson, Alberta Party

• Jordan Walker, UCP

7. Edmonton-South