Rob Clarke announces Saskatchewan Party leadership bid. Photo courtesy Rob Clarke for Saskatchewan Party Leader campaign.

The former Conservative MP for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River says it is time to hit re-start in the race for premier.

This morning, Rob Clarke announced he was in the running for leadership of the Saskatchewan Party.

His campaign theme is a “Fresh Start for Saskatchewan”.

He says he is the only candidate that can provide that, and he is the only candidate that can prevent the NDP from making more gains.

“I am the only true outsider in this race, the only candidate capable of delivering a bigger, better party,” he said. “I am the NDP’s worst nightmare. This is the most important election we have seen in over a decade.”

Before entering politics, Clarke was an RCMP member for 18 years.

He then represented the northern Saskatchewan riding of Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River for seven-and-a-half years before being defeated by the NDP’s Georgina Jolibois in 2015.

Clarke is also a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

There are now six candidates in the running to replace Premier Brad Wall. In addition to Clarke, they include Scott Moe, Gord Wyant, Ken Cheveldayoff, Tina Beaudry-Mellor and Alanna Koch.

The leadership convention will be held on January 27.