A third candidate has entered the Conservative nomination race for Moose Jaw - Lake Centre Lanigan.

Clark Puckett joins Brad Trost and Kathryn Pollack in the bid to replace current MP Tom Lukiwski as the Conservative Party representative in the next federal election.

As a resident of Davidson, Puckett's background is predominantly in agriculture, but he also has experience in politics and as a certified funeral celebrant. His family has farmed in the area since 1905 and Puckett is still active in the family production. He's been active in both the Saskatchewan and Conservative Parties since their inceptions, serving as a constituency assistant to former MLA Greg Brkich and campaign official for Tom Lukiwski.

"In 2006 I was responsible for Tom's rural campaign," explains Puckett. "And that was part of what helped push him over the top. In the 2019 election, I door-knocked in Moose Jaw, and I feel strongly that Moose Jaw is a great town filled with a lot of fantastic people."

Puckett also served on a three-month research contract in 2001 for former Blackstrap MP Lynne Yelich when she was sitting on the Citizens/Immigration Committee. That period coincided with the 9/11 attacks and Puckett was thrust into the midst of a huge crisis in Ottawa. He says the experience was valuable for him as it allowed him to learn about the parliamentary process.

"Ottawa was in the middle of changes regarding security policies and that was a huge learning curve for me. I sat in committee with Lynne and really learned what the processes were down there."

A self-described "middle-man," Puckett wants to help bridge the gap between the left and right. He says it's time for the Conservative Party to start listening to Canada's younger population and align its policies with their hopes for the future. From the conversations that he has had, Puckett believes that the Conservatives need to reshape their core beliefs to include a progressive social policy and address the risks of climate change.

"I'm on board with climate change and I think we need to embrace it as a reality. I think we can sit down and bring the concerns of climate change and energy together. Young people want to see this happen, even here in the west."

As a farmer himself, Puckett says he understands how precarious the agriculture sector can be. If elected, he would support climate change mitigation measures but also work to protect farmers.

"I would promote an exemption or a rebate from the Carbon Tax for farmers because they are at the whims of the markets. Food production is tantamount to not only Canada's food distribution but also for the whole world."

While he knows that many with the base of the Conservative Party will disagree with him, Puckett says the party needs to find a compromise on social issues if they are to reach younger Canadians.

"Young people need a future. The young people I talk to say that they are on board with progressive policies and I am too."

Puckett identifies as pro-choice but says he wants to find a way for both the mother and father to have their voices heard when considering an abortion.

"Obviously the mother is the primary party," says Puckett. "It's her body and her future that's in play and she should retain the power of the final decision. But I think that there should be the possibility of a conversation between the mom and dad to talk through the decision. But only if the situation is amicable and non-violent. I wasn't always pro-choice, but I've come to that decision now."

He holds a similarly centrist view on assisted dying legislation. As a funeral celebrant, Puckett says he's heard the stories of family members who've been suffering for months, wanting to pass away peacefully. He supports a person's right to die, but only for compassionate reasons where the disease is incurable.

Entering a race as a centrist during one of the most partisan periods of democratic history may seem like a fool's errand, something Puckett is well aware of.

"I am an incurable idealist, and I expect to fall hard," adds Puckett. "But if I don't, then I'm going to take that idealist message to Ottawa. Democracy is something worth talking about and finding a compromise over. If the Conservative Party doesn't bend its foundational beliefs a little, we're just going to turn into another western protest party."

While a federal election has yet to be called, many indicators are pointing towards a fall snap election.