Bob Hawkesworth to run for NDP in Calgary-Foothills byelection

Bob Hawkesworth will run for the Alberta NDP in the Calgary-Foothills provincialbyelection.

The former city councillor won the nomination Monday, over Anne Wilson, who came second to Jim Prentice on election night May 5.

Hawkesworthwill be running against LiberalAli Bin Zahid, who placed fourth in the most recent election. Other provincialpartieshave not yet nominated a candidate.

Besides serving as a councillor for 23 years, Hawkesworthhas already spent two terms as an NDP MLA, representing Calgary Mountain Viewin 1986 and 1989.

Former premier Jim Prentice won the Calgary-Foothills riding in the spring election, but he resigned the seat when he stepped down as party leader after the PCs lost that election to the NDP.

Hawkesworth says he believes the NDP can represent the riding well.

"I believe we have a very strong story to tell and I believe we offer something that no other party can offer and that is to maintain a tradition in Calgary-Foothills, and that is to have a representative in government."

No date has been set for the byelection, which must be held by the fall.