Independent set for battle

robin kuniski/metro calgary

Not discouraged by a long history of Conservative victories in Calgary West, independent candidate Kirk Schmidt kicked off his campaign Sunday.

NEIL MACKINNON/METRO CALGARY

September 09, 2008 5:19 a.m.

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Kirk Schmidt knows he’s facing an entirely uphill climb.

Running as an independent in Calgary West against Conservative incumbent Rob Anders, who has won the riding in four consecutive elections and in 2006, by more than 24,000 votes, Schmidt said even in a Tory hotbed, there seems to be some appetite for change.

“In the talks I’ve had with community members, there are quite a few people out there who have some reservations, some concerns about the incumbent,” Schmidt said.

Fiscally conservative, socially progressive, Schmidt’s been preparing for this election since the final ballot was counted in 2006 trying to build broad base of support.

The biggest thing has been ensuring people that I’m not just throwing my name on a ballot,” he said. “I’ve taken a leave of absence from work, I’m taking this seriously and it has just been a matter of getting that across to people.”

University of Calgary political scientist David Stewart said independents have a nearly impossible task as local voters often consider the national picture where a vote for an independent translates into opting out of government.

“In a minority situation, a very tight minority, the role of an independent could be much more important, but in a majority, there’s really nothing, they’re vote is unnecessary,” he said.

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