Thomas Lukaszuk enters race to be PC party leader

Former deputy premier and Edmonton MLA Thomas Lukaszuk has entered the race to become the next leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservative party.

Lukaszuk filed his papers at PC headquarters in Edmonton on Friday afternoon, just hours before the close of the nomination period, making him the third and final candidate in the race to replace Alison Redford as party leader.

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Done. Off to the races, he said after signing the form.

Lukaszuk joins former federal cabinet minister Jim Prentice and Calgary MLA and former cabinet minister Ric McIver in the race. The new leader will be selected in September.

Each candidate had to collect500 signatures and pay$50,000 to enter the race.Lukaszuk says his campaign will be upfront about who has donated in a bid to be transparent.

I will be releasing a list of all of my donors in advance of the votes," he said. "Albertans will be able to see who is supporting my campaign and make their decision based on that."

The party confirmed Lukaszukas an official candidate late Friday afternoon

Lukaszuk, McIver and Prentice will be formally announced as candidates at a PC party function in Edmonton on Monday.