a centre-right MP without interruption from 1935 onward–Social Credit from 1935 to 1958, the Progressive Conservatives from 1958 to 1993, Reform from 1993 to 2000, the Canadian Alliance from 2000 to 2003, and the Conservatives after 2003. Individual centre or left-wing candidates were usually lucky to approach 20 percent of the vote; the last time a single candidate from a non-right wing party cleared that hurdle was 1968. That aside, in this riding in every election from 1925 to 1957 (excepting 1935) and in 1962, the successful candidate did not win a majority of the riding's votes. More votes went to the unsuccessful candidates than went to the successful one. In 2003, a portion of Red Deer riding was transferred to this electoral district. The riding was abolished ahead of the 2015 election. The bulk of the riding, including Lacombe, was merged with the northern portion of Red Deer to form Red Deer-Lacombe. Much of the northern portion, including the city of Wetaskiwin, was merged with Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont to form Edmonton-Wetaskiwin. Smaller portions were transferred to Yellowhead and Battle River-Crowfoot. Members of Parliament Current Member of Parliament Its Member of Parliament is Blaine Calkins, a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. Candidates for the 2006 election In the spring of 2005, Dale Johnston announced that he would not be a candidate in the next federal election. A nomination meeting held in May 2005 selected Blaine Calkins as the Conservative Party candidate. Calkins was born and raised in the Lacombe area. He is a graduate of the University of Alberta, and a tenured faculty member at Red Deer College. He began his career in politics as a member of the Lacombe Town Council, and as such has been involved with the Board of Directors of the Lacombe Municipal Ambulance Society, The Board of Directors for Family and Community Support Services, The Municipal Planning Commission, David Thompson Tourist Council and the Disaster Services Committee. Calkins has been involved in the Reform/Canadian Alliance/Conservative Party since becoming a member in 1996. He served on the Candidate Nomination Committee for the Canadian Alliance Wetaskiwin Riding in 1999, and joined the Board of Directors in 2000. Since then, he has held various Board positions, including President, Vice President and Director of Communications. Peter Crossley was the Liberal Party candidate for the 2006 election. Mr Crossley is a graduate from the University of Alberta and has