Jason Stephan to not seek re-election as Red Deer-South MLA

Jason Stephan, the MLA for Red Deer-South, has announced he will not seek re-election in the upcoming 2026 Alberta provincial election. Stephan stated on social media that after serving more than eight years, it is time for him to step back and allow for new leadership.

His announcement coincided with a provincial vote on ten referendum questions. One specific question, Question 10, addressed whether the Government of Alberta should begin the legal process to hold a binding referendum on the province's separation from Canada. Stephan reportedly voted in favor of initiating the process for a separation referendum and expressed continued support for an independent Alberta in his statement.