Rita Reich, a Ponoka-area farmer, is campaigning to carry the United Conservative Party flag into the 2019 Alberta election in the Lacombe-Ponoka riding.

UCP nomination contestant for Lacombe-Ponoka, Rita Reich. (Rita Reich For Lacombe Ponoka)

She was once a business owner, and has served on the board for both the Progressive Conservative Party and the UCP.

According to her website, she believes there are fiive key priorities for the riding that include: rural crime, seniors care, the oil and gas industry, and the regulatory burden.

As well as the carbon tax, which she’s pledging the UCP will scrap if it forms the next government.

“When we become the government, we intend to repeal the tax and then fight back the federal government on this job-killing tax,” Reich said.

Two other candidates are contesting the party nomination for the riding.

They are Lacombe city councillor Thalia Hibbs, and incumbent MLA Ron Orr.