Doug Horner joins Tory leadership race

Doug Hornerannounced Friday he will be seeking the leadershipof the Alberta Progressive Conservative party.

"I do this because I believe we need to emphasize what it means to be a Progressive Conservative," he said. "We need to be, and we should be, proud to be a member of our party."

Horner, who wasdeputy premier and advanced education minister, resignedfrom cabinetFriday but will remain the MLA for Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert.

Horner, 50, joins former Finance Minister Ted Mortonin the raceto replace Ed Stelmach, who will step down aspremier and party leader in September.

Some party members were never happy with Stelmach's northern Alberta baseand feel the nextleader should be from Calgary. But Horner saidhis riding shouldn't bea detriment to his campaign.

"My wife and I have had the blessing of living and working in a lot of places around Alberta," he said.

"I don't think it matters where you lay your head down. It's what you're going to do to lead the party."