Sask. candidates share superstitions, strategies ahead of election

As Saskatchewan’s provincial election approaches, the atmosphere is electric, much like the leadup to a big game.

In the world of politics, just as in sports, candidates prepare meticulously, strategizing and rallying support. Many also turn to rituals and superstitions to help tip the scales in their favour.

Find out more about the candidates’ superstitions and traditions on Behind the Headlines:

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Saskatchewan Party leader Scott Moe likened the election process to a hockey game, where every little competitive edge matters.

“It’s the most exciting time for a politician,” Moe said in an interview with 650 CKOM.

“It’s like the third period of the hockey game and, you know, elections are always tight. Who doesn’t want to be on the ice for that?”

From lucky cows to rigid routines, candidates employ some interesting tactics to improve their chances of scoring the ultimate victory on election day, which is set for October 28.

So, what are the superstitions and rituals that candidates believe can make or break their campaigns?

Wear your team colours

Just as athletes proudly don their jerseys, many candidates embrace their party’s colours to show unity and rally support. Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck said that’s one superstition her mother takes very seriously.

“In my first election, my mom helped outfit our campaign office. I always say ‘If elections could be won by the amount of orange my mom bought at the dollar store, we would have had it in the bag from the start!’” she laughed. “I don’t wear as much orange anymore, but I’ve got one rusty orange scarf that I like to wear.”

Everett Hindley, the incumbent Saskatchewan Party candidate for Swift Current, said he sports something green as often as possible during an election.

“I think every day during the campaign I was wearing some sort of green, so the washing machine gets a workout, because it’s not like I have 28 days of green clothes!” he laughed.

While Nicole Sarauer, the incumbent NDP candidate for Regina Douglas Park, will happily sport an NDP pin while out knocking on doors, she said she prefers to wear more flattering hues.

“Orange doesn’t look good on me as a colour, to be honest with you,” she said with a smile.

Stick to your routine

Much like an athlete’s pregame ritual, some candidates say having a consistent campaign routine helps them feel grounded and confident.

“When the election is on, I have sort of a set schedule,” Hindley explained. “Here’s when I’m going to door knock, here’s when I’m answering emails, here’s when I’m doing other stuff, like social media posts.”

Beck has a very specific ritual she enjoys on election day. She said she wakes up early and enjoys a cup of coffee before heading to the polls — but not just to cast her own vote.

“I like to see people voting,” she said. “That’s one of the things I like to do on election day is just watch people coming and going from polls. Not in a creepy way, hopefully, but just watching. I love to see people going out and exercising their democratic right.”

Keep your head in the game

Organization and mental preparation are crucial during an election. Moe said he starts each morning with a clear plan for the day, reviewing his schedule and his key talking points.

“I will get an email kind of summarizing what my day looks like on the campaign trail and start to further prepare for whatever is coming that day,” he said. “What I always try to do is ensure that I’m well prepared for the media and for any questions that might come. To share conversation as opposed to, you know, standing up in front of a community and reading a speech.”

While Hindley averages roughly 20,000 steps a day door knocking, he said he still makes a point to head to the gym to clear his mind.

“I like to get in some exercise if I can, either at the beginning of the day or at the end to get myself in the right headspace or perhaps take off a little bit of the stress,” he explained.

Sarauer said that once election day arrives, she puts in extra effort to maintain her focus.

“I make sure that I do things to centre myself and try to stay calm,” she explained. “It’s a very stressful day, obviously — all of the work that you’ve done is leading up to that point. I try to spend as much time with my family as possible to centre myself.”

Engage with supporters

Candidates, like sports teams, thrive on support. Regularly connecting with campaign staff, as well as voters, can be an effective way to boost morale.

“Elections are hard work for those who are running, but there’s a whole team that’s working hard the whole time,” Beck said. “I think I took Dilly Bars around my first election. Saying ‘thank you’ to folks is a good use of your time.”

Sarauer said she also makes an effort to spend time on election day thanking her supporters.

“Your job, really, as a candidate, is to support your team. Typically I will go and deliver meals to the different houses our volunteers are working out of,” she said.

Moe said one of the most rewarding parts of any campaign is getting to spend time with people from all over Saskatchewan.

“You get to meet new people that are leading their community each and every day,” he said. “It’s the most exciting time, and it’s really the most fortunate job to have in the world.”

Trust your lucky charm

Candidates often carry or wear items that they believe bring good luck.

Moe picked up his lucky charm along the 2020 campaign trail.

“We ended up with this stress reliever, like a stress ball. This one was in the shape of a cow,” he said. “We got it from Maple Creek and we put it on the dash of the truck. It just kind of stayed there and and kind of led us around the province. We have the Maple Creek cow with us again this time.”

Phil Zajac, leader of the Buffalo Party, said he is saving his lucky charm for election night.

“It’s a weird superstition, but I do have some favourite watches that I only wear on special occasions, so I will pick one for that night. I’ve had good experiences when I’ve worn those certain watches.”

Green Party Leader Naomi Hunter says she isn’t a smoker, but she’s been carrying around an item that she’s hoping will help her spark enthusiasm among hesitant voters.

“This is a House of Commons matchbook, back from when the House of Commons allowed smoking,” she said. “I’ve been carrying it around the entire election!”

Sarauer’s lucky charms aren’t items, but people.

“I would consider my family my lucky charm,” she said. “My parents have been there for every election for me.”

Hindley said he believes in hard work rather than luck, but he does plan on carrying on a tradition from previous elections.

“The last two elections, the byelection and the general election, I think I got a haircut on both of those days,” he said. “So maybe I’ll have to try and do that again and see if that does the trick!”

Rest and recover

While sticking to routine during the campaign may be beneficial, Rose Buscholl, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan, said that on election day she plans to throw her routine right out the window.

“Every candidate that is going through this process is having a very long four weeks,” she said. “There’s a lot of travel and a lot of talking. Take that last day for yourself. Go have a bubble bath. Sit and pamper yourself. Just relax and wait to see what happens.”

Zajac said he also plans to relax on election day, and trust that the work he has put in will be enough to earn him a seat in the Legislative Assembly.

“The sprint is on right now, and you’ve got to go as hard and fast as you can,” he said.

“Then, on election day, I just like to be with family, friends and people who have supported me. We’ll have a place to get together, have some food and watch the results. Pretty sure it will be a good one this year!”