Weyburn-Big Muddy
Saskatchewan Party – Dustin Duncan
Dustin Duncan was first elected as MLA for the constituency of Weyburn-Big Muddy in a by-election in June 2006 at the age of 26.
Dustin was re-elected in the November 2007 provincial election.
On May 29, 2009 Premier Brad Wall appointed Dustin Duncan to the Saskatchewan Cabinet as minister of tourism, parks, culture and sport.
Appointed two months before his 30th birthday, Dustin is the youngest cabinet minister in Saskatchewan history and one of the youngest in Canadian history.
"Being named to cabinet is an honour," Dustin says, "but to be the youngest minister ever appointed is something I will never forget."
In June of 2010, Premier Wall assigned Dustin new responsibilities in cabinet and he served as the minister of the environment and the minister responsible for SaskEnergy and Sask Water.
In opposition, he served on the Crown and Central Agencies committee and as critic for youth opportunities and immigration. Re-elected in the 2007 general election, Dustin served as chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies prior to entering Cabinet.
In addition to his various legislative roles, Dustin has served as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program advisory committee and in 2007 was named a BILLD Fellow after completing the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Dustin is active in his community and is a past board member of the Family Place, a community funded, community driven resource center for families in Weyburn and the surrounding area.
Dustin grew up in Halbrite and graduated from Weyburn Comprehensive High in 1997. Dustin went on to complete an undergraduate degree in Canadian history from the University of Regina, graduating in 2002. He also completed the Canadian securities course.
Dustin and his wife Amanda, a musician, make Weyburn their home.
NDP – Ken Kessler
Ken Kessler was selected as the NDP candidate for Weyburn-Big Muddy on Sept. 22, 2011.
Kessler, 36, operates a mixed organic farming operation near Pangman. He has a bachelor of science degree in biology and geography from the University of Regina and also works as an organic inspector during the summer months.
Ken is also a strong advocate for rural Saskatchewan and the current issues that most affect this part of the province.
He is a fierce supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board, a defender of the need to maintain educational and healthcare accessibility in rural Saskatchewan and realizes the need for affordable housing not only in urban centres but also in rural parts of the province.
In his spare time, Ken enjoys bow hunting and archery.
Ken and his wife Allison have two children - Kadan, six, and Hannah, two-and-a-half years old.
Green Party – Gene Ives
(No photo or biography available)
2007 election results
Dustin Duncan (Saskatchewan Party) – 4,972 (60.7%)
Sharon Elliott (NDP) – 2,060 (25.1%)
Colleen Christopherson-Cole (Liberal Party) – 1,004 (12.2%)
Al Birchard (Green Party) – 154 (1.8%)
