For 16 days photographer Todd Korol travelled the province of Alberta, following political party leaders as the made campaign whistle stops around the province to fight for support and hopefully votes. Along the way they posed with babies, puppies, spaceships and even rode a plastic horse all in the name of the classic election campaign. In these images Korol captures the less than glamorous side of politics. Alberta voters go to the polls May 5th.
All photos by Todd Korol for The Globe and Mail
NDP candidate Joe Ceci rides high on a plastic horse to the cheers from supporters at a campaign rally in Calgary. Ceci was a popular city alderman from 1995 to 2010 and might be the first candidate to win an NDP seat in Calgary in over 20 years.
Wildrose leader Brian Jean gets an impromptu hug from a supporter while campaigning in Airdrie.
During political campaigns leaders are quick to shake anyone's hand, kiss babies and even puppies as Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley does while campaigning door to door in Calgary.
Supporters reach to shoot photos of Alberta Party leader Greg Clark as he fired up party faithful during a campaign stop in Calgary.
Alberta Party leader Greg Clark stands on milk crates while campaigning in Calgary.
Campaigns are all-day grinds for leaders and their staff as NDP leader Rachel Notley (L) shares morning coffee with press secretary Sally Housser as they pour over the morning papers.
NDP leader Rachel Notley and her staff read through newspapers, press releases and speeches.
An advance staff member of the Alberta PC party plants a flag near an oil pump jack as a backdrop for a speech by Premier Jim Prentice to ranchers and farmers near Three Hills. Other popular sites for leaders to deliver speeches during the election were playgrounds, hospitals, government buildings and even a beef jerky shop.
Although it's shirt and tie for Wildrose leader Brian Jean as he cuts up a fake credit card in Calgary, Jean is quick to put on a "I Heart the Oil Sands" t-shirt while campaigning in his home riding of Fort McMurray.
Parties didn't dish out big bucks on major photo ops so leaders used local props when they could. Here Premier Jim Prentice stops to have his photo taken with a model of the USS Enterprise of Star Trek fame in Vulcan, Alberta.
Staff and security watch out for any trouble on the open Alberta prairies during a speech by Premier Jim Prentice near Three Hills. While the Premier travels with a security detail he's always approachable while campaigning. Other leaders have no security at all.
Prentice (R) hands over a balloon dog to a young girl while campaigning with former Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson. Attention quickly goes to children during election campaigns.
Supporters at a Jim Prentice campaign stop in Calgary.
Babies are a magnet for political leaders including Premier Jim Prentice.
Alberta liberal leader Dr. David Swann arrives to work on his bicycle before starting a long day of campaigning.
NDP leader Rachel Notley poses for a news photographer in Calgary. During a campaign leaders are quick to react to photographers in hopes of better exposure during the day's news cycle.