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The 2022 United Conservative Party leadership election was held on November 9th, 2022 in Alberta after the resignation of the incumbent leader Jason Kenney following his defeat on May 18th of the same year in his leadership review.

The highly contentious leadership review marked the apex of the UCP's interparty conflict, with Kenney's willingnes to stay even with a slim majority and allegations of voter fraud setting the tone. After the release of results on May 18th showed Kenney only receiving 46.7% support, he resigned the same day during a press conference at the Spruce Meadows multi-purpose entertainment facility. Following Kenney's resignation, the caucus chose then Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhney as the interim leader 3 days later on May 21st.

Brian Jean had announced long before the leadership review that he intended to run for leader of the UCP, running as the UCP nominee in the 2022 Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche by-election and winning a commanding majority of the votes.

Timeline

 * May 18, 2022:
 * Jason Kenney announces his resignation effective immediately as Premier and UCP leader following his loss in the leadership review.
 * Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean reaffirms his intent to run for leadership.
 * May 21, 2022: Caucus chooses Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhney as interim leader and premier to hold office until a leadership election is held.
 * May 22, 2022: Party executive meets to set the rules and dates for the leadership election.
 * May 23, 2022: Journalist and former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith announces her candidacy.
 * June 4, 2022: Chestermere-Strathmore MLA and former Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism & Status of Women Leela Sharon Aheer announces her candidacy.
 * June 10, 2022: Independent MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat Drew Barnes announces his candidacy.
 * June 29, 2022: Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon resigns as Minister of Environment and Parks.
 * July 2, 2022: Jason Nixon announces his candidacy.
 * July 11, 2022:
 * Calgary-Elbow MLA Doug Schweitzer resigns as Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.
 * Schweitzer announces his candidacy
 * July 15, 2022:
 * Nomination period officially opens.
 * Jean, Smith, Barnes, Nixon, Aheer, and Schweitzer each announce they are collecting signatures
 * July 17, 2022: Jean, Nixon file their nomination papers with the required number of signatures and a deposit.
 * July 20, 2022: Barnes files his nomination papers.
 * July 25, 2022: Aheer files her nomination papers.
 * July 26, 2022: Schweitzer files his nomination papers.
 * July 29, 2022: Smith files her nomination papers.
 * July 30, 2022: Nomination period officially closes at 5pm MT (UTC−6).
 * August 1, 2022: Official candidates formally introduced.
 * October 15, 2022: Final day that candidates can withdraw from ballot.
 * October 20, 2022: CBC leadership debate held.
 * November 9, 2022: Voting begins 6:30am MT, results are announced at Westerner Park Exhibition Hall in Red Deer at 7:30pm MT. Brian Jean is elected leader with 37.4% of the vote.
 * January 4, 2023: Brian Jean is sworn in as premier, as well as the new cabinet ministers.

Brian Jean
Former leader of the Wildrose Party from March 28, 2015 – July 24, 2017, and federal Conservative Party MP for Fort McMurray—Athabasca from June 28, 2004 – January 17, 2014
 * Background