WOOD RIVER — Voters in the Wood River constituency will have five candidates to choose from in the upcoming provincial election on Oct. 28.
The race features a mix of political newcomers and experienced figures, with the incumbent from the Saskatchewan Party, David Marit, seeking re-election.
David Marit, Saskatchewan Party (Incumbent)
Marit, who has represented Wood River since 2016, is running for a third term. Born and raised in the area, Marit has deep roots in the community, having worked as a producer and served on the RM council starting in 1993. Before entering provincial politics, Marit held roles with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), eventually serving as its president.
In government, Marit has held cabinet roles, including minister of agriculture and minister of highways and infrastructure. He is also the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
Mike Topola, NDP
Topola is the NDP candidate, bringing his experience as an advanced care paramedic at the Assiniboia Union Hospital to the table. Born and raised in Assiniboia, Topola is a strong advocate for improving health care, particularly in rural areas. His platform centres on addressing health-care delivery issues in Saskatchewan, advocating for better access to services and stronger support for rural hospitals. An active community volunteer, Topola has coached high school sports for nearly a decade.
Todd McIntyre, SUP
McIntyre represents the Saskatchewan United Party and has a background in both agriculture and small business. Raised on a mixed farm in the Spring Valley area, McIntyre returned to his rural roots after years in sales and management.
He served six years on the board of directors for the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, and three years on the City of Moose Jaw’s Heritage Advisory Committee.
Now a small business owner who boards and trains horses, he is passionate about protecting the rural way of life in Saskatchewan. McIntyre emphasizes his connection to farmers and ranchers and aims to be a "common-sense voice" for rural Saskatchewan.
Melvin Pylychuk, Green Party
Running for the Green Party, Pylychuk is one of five candidates in Wood River, although no further information about his background was available as of Oct. 14. The Green Party's platform typically emphasizes environmental sustainability, Indigenous rights and local community empowerment, along with a commitment to addressing climate change and promoting green energy initiatives in Saskatchewan.
Clint Arnason, Progressive Conservative Party
Arnason, a former leadership candidate of the Buffalo Party, is running under the Progressive Conservative banner in this election. Limited information about Arnason’s campaign has been made available as of Oct. 14. The Progressive Conservatives announced on Sept. 23 that Arnason would be running for them instead of the Buffalo Party.
