Calgary

Brian Jean enters Wildrose Party leadership race

Former Conservative MP Brian Jean is running for the leadership of Alberta’s Wildrose Party.

Jean stepped down as Conservative MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca last year

Former Conservative MP Brian Jean announced on Wednesday he is running for the leadership of Alberta’s Wildrose Party. (Colleen Underwood/CBC)

Former Conservative MP Brian Jean is running for the leadership of Alberta’s Wildrose Party.

Jean made the announcement on Wednesday morning in Calgary.

Derek Fildebrandt, onetime Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, was at the announcement to lend his support to Jean’s bid.

Fildebrandt is seeking the Wildrose nomination in Strathmore-Brooks and had previously said he was getting encouragement to run for the leadership.

Drew Barnes and Linda Osinchuk have also indicated they might try for the party’s leadership.

Calgary MP Rob Anders was told by Wildrose Party officials earlier this month that he is disqualified from making a bid.