by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 12/97) - Although late in the running, Tory candidates have now been chosen for both the Eastern and Western Arctic.

Bob Dowdall is on the move, getting his name out their so Tories in the West know who to vote for on June 2.

Last week, Dowdall started his campaign tour in Fort Smith, where he was scheduled to open an office. On Saturday, he hosted the grand opening of his Yellowknife campaign headquarters.

He is also scheduled to travel around the Mackenzie and the South Slave regions before the election.

A manager of tax programs for nearly 10 years, he said he knows industry concerns. He worked in the mining industry for 18 years and knows what it's like to start up a small business.

Assets like these, he said are invaluable in understanding today's business world.

Dowdall took the uncontested bid for the Western Arctic candidacy more than a week ago.

Nunavut Tory Okalik Eegeesiak of Iqaluit was elected as the Eastern candidate at a nomination meeting Tuesday night, according to Progressive Conservative Party headquarters.

An executive director trainee at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Eegeesiak will be taking a leave of absence during the federal campaign.

Alex Campbell, executive director of NTI, said that if she is elected to the House of Commons, she will be required to resign from NWT.

Eegeesiak did not returns calls requesting an interview.