There’s one candidate running so far to become the next MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan lake after Don MacIntyre’s snap resignation last week.

Mike Walsh, a teacher at Innisfail Middle School and Penhold town councillor, is seeking the UCP nomination first.

“It came as a bit of a surprise. But we’ve been organizing and putting a solid group of volunteers and a team together. So we’ve just sped up our process and jumped right in,” Walsh said.

Walsh was first elected to town council in 2013, then re-elected last October. He said over the past couple months, many have encouraged to take his public service “to the next level.”

He said the party has not set any timelines for when a candidate will be in place. However, a byelection must be called to fill the vacant seat by August.

As he seeks the nomination, Walsh will remain on council.

“Council’s been very supportive in the whole process. I had to talk to them about it to let them know what was going on. So far, with the formal announcement happening today, the feedback from the community has been very positive,” he said.