NDP’s Kyle Campbell Takes Calgary-Shaw in Tight By-election Upset

Voters in Calgary-Shaw have elected New Democrat Kyle Campbell to the Alberta Legislature, according to unofficial Elections Alberta results from Monday’s by-election. Campbell defeated United Conservative Party candidate Mike Derry 7,461 votes to 6,879 — a margin of 582 — in a southwest Calgary riding that includes Legacy, Wolf Willow and Silverado and had been held by the UCP in both the 2019 and 2023 general elections. The contest was triggered by the resignation of former UCP MLA and environment minister Rebecca Schulz.

Progressive Tory candidate Kyle Joseph finished third with 978 votes, Liberal Leader John Roggeveen received 602, and Independent Rolly Ashdown took 82. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi cast the result as proof that no Calgary seat is safely Conservative, while Premier Danielle Smith congratulated Campbell and said her government would work constructively with the new MLA. Campbell said he looks forward to representing the constituency at the provincial level.

Elections Alberta will announce official results on Sept. 24. The by-election is being watched as an early test of the UCP’s standing in suburban Calgary ahead of a broader provincial fight, including debate over the upcoming independence referendum, though by-election turnout and dynamics often differ from a general election.