issuing a press release, On October 25, 2005, former party leader Randy Thorsteinson broke his silence and endorsed Ed Klop, and attacking the Chandler campaign. The Crutcher camp responded with a deamon dialer phone message attempting to dismiss the statements as campaign propaganda. Craig Chandler responded with legal action against Randy Thorsteinson. Speculated candidates The following people had been mentioned as possible choices to run for leader: Gary Horan: Senator-in-waiting candidate, had contemplated running, but backed Marilyn Burns. Preston Manning: the former Reform Party of Canada leader. Manning had been helping out Paul Hinman in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. This caused the rumour mill to circulate his name as a possible leadership candidate. Deborah Grey: was also mentioned as a possible leadership candidate. Ted Morton: some Alberta Alliance members believed that Randy Thorsteinson should have waited until after the Progressive Conservative Party chooses a successor to Ralph Klein, so that Ted Morton could have run for leader of the Alliance if he did not win the leadership of the PC party. Randy Thorsteinson felt that the Alberta Alliance should never be a fall-back position for anyone. He has stated "The Alberta Alliance is the home of principled conservatives. Those that truly believe in reforming the Alberta Government realize that trying to change the Progressive Conservatives from within is a lost cause. It has never happened and never will. We must ensure that principled conservatives have a home led by people of character and integrity not opportunists. I chose to step down early to allow the new Leader as much time as possible to prepare for the next election and to make leadership aspirants choose between the Progressive Conservative or the Alberta Alliance leadership races. You will be able to determine their commitment to principle by the leadership race they choose to enter". Timeline of campaign developments April 15, 2005: Randy Thorsteinson steps down as leader of the Alberta Alliance May 27, 2005: Alberta Alliance convention held in Calgary, four candidates make their intentions known May 28, 2005: Day 2 of Alberta Alliance convention July 20, 2005: Marilyn Burns launches her campaign with backing of Gary Horan July 26, 2005: Marilyn Burns gains momentum after Paul Jackson publishes a column on her in the Calgary Sun August 1, 2005: Convention registration opened August 11, 2005: David Crutcher announces leadership bid. August 29, 2005: Paul Hinman announces leadership bid. September 12,