MP who left Ottawa to work for Alison Redford tries federal politics again

CALGARY – A former MP who left Ottawa to become principal secretary to Alison Redford when she was Alberta premier is taking another run at federal politics.

Lee Richardson has announced he will seek the Conservative nomination in Calgary Rocky Ridge.

Richardson, who is 67, held the riding of Calgary Centre for the federal Conservatives between 2004 and 2012.

The next federal election is set for October.

When he left the Commons in May 2012 to work for Redford, Richardson praised the newly minted premier for, in his words, claiming a leadership role in the Canadian federation.

Redford quit two years later amid a caucus revolt over her lavish spending and leadership style.

Richardson’s political career goes back decades.

He was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 in Brian Mulroney’s government, but he was defeated in the next election by a Reform candidate.

He began his political career as executive assistant to former prime minister John Diefenbaker.

He also worked for former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed and was a deputy chief of staff to Mulroney.

(CHQR, The Canadian Press)