Former federal Conservative MP Brian Jean will lead the Wildrose as the party prepares to face the next provincial election.
Jean received 55 per cent support on the first ballot to defeat his opponents Drew Barnes and Linda Osinchuk in the race to replace interim leader Heather Forsyth.
The 52-year-old lawyer from Fort McMurray represented Albertans in the House of Commons from 2004 - 2014.
During Jean's acceptance speech, the new Wildrose leader says he remains inspired by Michael, his 24-year-old son, who passed away less than two weeks ago to Lymphoma.
"Mikey was a very, very special person and when cleaning his room this week i found a handwritten note on the table behind his bed," said Jean. "This will tell you how special he was. He wrote, in his own handwriting, what you do for yourself dies with you but what you do for others remains and is immortal."
According to party officials, 35 per cent of members voted in the leadership nomination election.
