On challenges

LRT breaks a noteworthy piece of news from the Saskatchewan NDP, as a "young, female challenger" will apparently be running against incumbent MLA Kevin Yates for the party's nomination in Regina Dewdney. But while that race itself may be one to watch, the more interesting question may be whether the move opens the floodgates for additional challenges for incumbents.

After all, the few non-incumbent nomination races in Regina and Saskatoon have attracted loads of strong competitors. And it wouldn't come as too much surprise if at least a few more new candidates decide they see a better chance to win a place in the Legislature by taking their chances on a difficult nomination fight for a seat the NDP already holds, rather than facing multiple challengers to contest a riding currently in Sask Party hands.

But what about the effect on the party in general? There too, I'd see it as a plus on the balance for some incumbents to face the possibility of nomination challenges. At the very least, the risk should push our current MLAs to work toward the party's membership targets in order to set an early nomination date and keep the field as clear as possible. And for those who do face a contested nomination, the extra work and energy that goes into competitors' efforts should prove a long-term advantage if the challengers aren't able to overcome the long odds facing them.

So I'll be looking forward to seeing not only how Regina Dewdney's contest plays out, but also how many more races materialize over the next little while.