And, as I learned while traveling around the province before Tuesday’s vote, it was clear that even though Mr. Kenney’s opponent was Premier Rachel Notley, the New Democrat who broke a decades-long tradition of Conservative governments four years ago, he was also running against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

With a lengthy victory speech that was almost more of a battle cry than celebration, Mr. Kenny made it clear that his fight against Mr. Trudeau and other politicians outside of Alberta was just beginning.