And then there were six.

Former MLA Stephen Khan is expected to announce on Thursday evening his bid to lead the Alberta Progressive Conservative party.

He will join five other candidates — including Sandra Jansen, Donna Kennedy-Glans, Jason Kenney, Byron Nelson, and Richard Starke — in the contest.

Khan was a one-term PC MLA who easily won in his St. Albert riding in 2012. He went on to serve as minister of Service Alberta.

But in the 2015 election, Khan was defeated by the NDP's Marie Renaud, as a wave of orange MLAs swept into office.

On his website, Khan said he would help build a "modern conservative party."

"Our province needs leadership that is committed to fiscal responsibility while standing up for Albertans in need. Albertans expect their government to use every tax dollar responsibly while ensuring we are protecting our most vulnerable in the community," the website stated.

The other five leadership candidates are scheduled to debate in Red Deer on Saturday night at the party's policy convention and special general meeting.

A staff person said Khan wants to participate in the debate but details need to be finalized.

Khan is expected to formally announce his campaign at the Sturgeon Valley Golf Course on Thursday evening.