Wood Buffalo’s rural councillors have endorsed NDP candidate and fellow councillor Jane Stroud in the upcoming July 12 byelection in Fort McMurray-Conklin, making her the first candidate to win endorsements from council colleagues.

Councillors Bruce Inglis and Claris Voyageur, who represent Fort Chipewyan and Fort McKay on council, joined Sheila Lalonde, who represents Saprae Creek and Draper, and released a joint statement on Tuesday afternoon praising Stroud’s accomplishments on council.

It did not mention the NDP or Premier Rachel Notley, and thanked former Wildrose leader and UCP MLA Brian Jean for his political service.

“Our endorsement is independent of partisan politics. There’s too much at risk to elect anyone without a background in getting things done in Fort McMurray and the entire region,” Inglis said on Tuesday outside city hall.

“It is important we elect an MLA who knows and understands all of our communities,” he said. “Jane has stood up on behalf of all RMWB residents.”

Lalonde said she was backing Stroud because she is running for the party currently in government.

“My theory is the NDP is in power, so it’s a byelection. Vote for the party that’s in power,” she said.

Voyageur was unavailable for comment.

Outside city hall, Stroud – who represents Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates, Conklin and Janvier – thanked the councillors for their endorsements. She then spoke of her advocacy for lower rural business taxes, running water and sewage services, and the construction of the Anzac fire hall and Conklin multiplex.

Stroud also accused previous conservative governments of inaction on infrastructure and a long-term care centre at Willow Square.

“It is too risky to go back to the days when our region was overlooked,” she said.

Stroud did not seem to be bothered that no urban councillor has publicly endorsed her, portraying the announcement as an example of rural leaders sticking together.

“We as rural councillors work together for our projects and the urban of course support us,” she said. “I was just very pleased that rural councillors decided to endorse me in this.”

Fort McMurray-Conklin includes all rural hamlets, as well as the neighbourhoods of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Draper, Grayling Terrace, all of Thickwood south of Thickwood Boulevard, Saprae Creek, Waterways and Wood Buffalo.

Election day is July 12. Advance polls run between July 3 and July 8. You can find your polling location at Elections Alberta’s website. Our coverage of the byelection can be found here.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com