Scott Lessmeister says he hopes to bring some professionalism and maturity to the Saskatchewan legislature.

“Some of the conduct that you see in question period, some of the exchanges you see between parties - you know, I think it’s important to have debate, you have to have that and you have to have strong opposition to keep governments honest, but I would like to see the level of dialogue raised to a little higher standard as far as professionalism and maturity.”

Lessmeister has thrown his hat in the ring for the Sask Party nomination for the vacant Melfort seat. The former MLA, Kevin Phillips, died in November at the age of 63.

Lessmeister was mayor of Lake Lenore for seven years and served on council for nine.

The party’s nomination meeting is January 24. Other candidates include Louise Schweitzer, Todd Goudy and Tim Hoenmans.

The Melfort district also includes St. Brieux, Lake Lenore, Naicam, LeRoy, Englefeld, Watson, Annaheim, St. Gregor, and Quill Lake.

A date for the by-election has not been set.