Scott Moe has replaced Brad Wall as the leader of the Saskatchewan Party, becoming the Premier-designate of Saskatchewan.
Moe received 8,075 votes or 53.7 percent of the total votes cast, surpassing runner-up and former deputy ag minister Alanna Koch by 1,161 votes, in the fifth and final round of voting at the party’s leadership convention in Saskatoon on Saturday.
Moe, who lives near Shellbrook and holds an agriculture degree from the University of Saskatchewan, has represented the riding of Rosthern-Shellbrook since 2011. He served as Minister of the Environment from 2016 to 2017 before resigning to run for the leadership.
He spoke about maintaining the province’s stance against the federal government’s carbon tax in his victory speech.
“I will fight for our economy to ensure that we do not have a carbon tax,” he said. “And Justin Trudeau, if you are wondering how far I will go, just watch me.”
Koch held a slim lead over Moe through the first three rounds of voting — until Ken Cheveldayoff’s name dropped off the ballot in the fourth round.
Rob Clarke, Tina Beaudry-Mellor and Gord Wyant were eliminated on the first, second and third ballots, respectively.
Moe will be sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor in the coming days.
Related: Brad Wall announces retirement
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