Morton to Seek Leadership of Alberta Conservatives

The provincial finance minister announced his resignation from cabinet Friday so he could join the race to become premier.

Ted Morton is hoping the second time is the charm. Morton was among the front-runners to win the Conservative leadership in 2006, until he and Jim Dinning split the vote, handing the nomination to underdog Ed Stelmach. Stelmach resigned this week after conceding his government will continue running a deficit into 2012, and Thursday Morton confirmed rumours he will seek to replace him. Morton, who has built his reputation on being a strong fiscal conservative, helped expedite Stelmach’s departure by refusing to read the premier’s budget speech, not wanting to be associated with a deficit-running government. Stelmach’s long-time ally Lloyd Snelgrove will take over the finance portfolio, and Morton will sit on the backbench until a party leadership race this summer.