The Saskatchewan Party has a new candidate in Prince Albert Carlton after Kevin Kasun won a contested nomination at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.
Kasun defeated firefighter and mental health advocate Jeff Reeder to win the nomination. Kasun has a varied work background but has most recently worked at Canada Post and with Corrections.
Kasun was born in saskatchewan said he grew up in several rural communities in Saskatchewan before finally moving back to Saskatoon to earn a living in a trucking career later started working as a train conductor. He moved to Prince Albert for the love of the city and his wife Shevawn.
“I love it here and I’m passionate about this community,” Kasun said in an interview after winning the nomination. “I want to see it thrive. I live in this constituency and I want to bring positive change that impacts all of us in this constituency.”
Prince Albert Carlton was previously represented by Joe Hargrave,who won the 2016 and 2020 provincial elections. He was slated to run again after winning the nomination in December 2023, but stepped down a few months later citing age and a desire to be with family.
Kasun opened his remarks to party members by thanking Hargrave for his service, and said he’s eager to start campaigning.
“We are the third largest city in Saskatchewan. We are getting the third tertiary hospital in Saskatchewan. We take care of the entire top half of the province. We need a strong voice down south and I would like to be that voice,” he said.
“100 per cent of my time is in this constituency. While I don’t come with fancy titles, I am an everyday person who is ready to hit the ground running,” he added. “My goal is to help my constituency have their voices heard in the legislature.”
Hargrave is running against nurse Carolyn Brost Strom, who won the NDP nomination in September 2023. No other candidates have announced their intent to run in the constituency.
The 2024 provincial election must be held on or before Oct. 28.
