A second candidate has emerged to carry the UCP flag into the forthcoming byelection in Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.

Devin Dreeshen, a Pine Lake-area farmer, and son of Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen, is seeking the party nomination. Penhold town councillor Mike Walsh had also thrown his hat in to replace MLA Don MacIntyre.

The 30 year old says many have asked him to be their champion against policies like Bill 6 and the carbon tax.

“People around here keep saying, they want the government to actually stand up for them and fight for them,” Dreeshen says.

“There’s a lot of frustration out there and it’s something I would take very seriously and want to stand for Alberta industries.”

Dreeshen’s resume also includes being an advisor to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz from 2008-15.

He has obtained Ritz’s endorsement as well as one from Luke Ouellette, who was Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation and MLA for the riding for 11 years.

He is currently a consultant advising agricultural stakeholders on trade issues.