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Alberta Conservative leadership candidates must pay $75K

Last Updated Aug 31, 2017 at 1:16 pm MDT

Alberta Wildrose leader Brian Jean, left, and Alberta PC leader Jason Kenney announce a unity deal between the two in Edmonton on Thursday, May 18, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

EDMONTON – Candidates in Alberta’s conservative leadership race are being told they must pony up $75,000 to run.

That’s the price set by the new United Conservative party ahead of the Oct. 28 leadership vote.

Organizers for candidate Brian Jean have confirmed the number and say $25,000 is refundable as long as the entrant does not engage in conduct deemed detrimental to the party.

The money is to be paid in two instalments.

The United Conservatives were formed last month after the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties agreed to merge.

Jean is former leader of the Wildrose.

Other entrants are former PC leader Jason Kenney, former Wildrose president Jeff Callaway and longtime conservative strategist Doug Schweitzer.