Ken Hughes 1st candidate for Alberta PC leadership

Calgary MLA Ken Hughes is officially in the running for the leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party.

Hughes, 60, made the announcement in Longview on Friday morningmaking him the first person to toss hishat in the ring to replace Alison Redford.

• Alison Redford's replacement will have to heal party divisions
• Ken Hughes resigns cabinet post ahead of expected leadership bid

I think we have to acknowledge to Albertans we have work to do in building, rebuilding, the trust with Albertans. Ithink we have to acknowledge that we haven't executed with perfection in the past and we have to move forward on that and that'sthe first step to rebuilding."

Two Tory MLAs have endorsed Hughes for the leadership Ron Casey and Jason Luan.

My focus will be on building a team that will be principled, prudent and practical, Hughes said in a written statement.

He plans to visitseveral Alberta communities this weekend to drum up support.

Hughes was chair of Alberta Health Services from 2008 to 2011 before winning the Calgary-West seat in the legislature in 2012.

Heresigned as minister of municipal affairs on Monday.