Angela Pitt was first elected in 2015. She is one of two female members of the UCP caucus.

The current MLA for Airdrie has defeated a challenger to be the United Conservative Party candidate for the next provincial election.

Former hockey broadcaster Roger Millions was the only other contestant in the race.

He announced earlier this month he was retiring from broadcasting. He then decided to seek the UCP nomination in the soon-to-be created riding of Airdrie East.

Pitt said she's thrilled.

"I'm so honoured and grateful to be able to have the mandate from the United Conservative Party members of Airdrie-East moving forward," she said.

"I look forward to a really great election, hopefully here in 2019. I'm so thankful for all of the volunteers who worked on my campaign and I wish the very best to Roger Millions in his future endeavours."

Pitt had received the endorsement of at least 17 members of the UCP caucus in recent weeks. Following Pitt's win, UCP leader Jason Kenney offered his congratulations.

"Angela is a valued member of our caucus and a passionate advocate for her constituents, whom she has served with dedication over the last three years," he said.

"As Justice Critic, she has held this NDP government to account and fought hard for victims of crime across the province."

Kenney also thanked Millions and his team for "running a spirited nomination campaign."

Pitt is the eleventh UCP candidate to be nominated for the next provincial election which is expected to be held in spring 2019.