SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A week after stating Sandy Lee would "do some damage to the party" if elected, ice road trucker Alex Debogorski is now throwing his support behind the Western Arctic Conservative candidate.

Ice road trucker Alex Debogorski stands with Sandy Lee at her campaign office Wednesday morning after Debogorski threw his support behind the Western Arctic Conservative candidate's campaign. - photo courtesy of the Sandy Lee campaign

"I was canvassing the community and the last person I went to see was Sandy Lee. We spoke for about half-an-hour to an hour and I feel comfortable with her running for the Conservative party so I'm going to support her," said Debogorski on Wednesday.

Lee was a known supporter of the Liberal Party before making the switch to the Conservatives shortly after the May 2 federal election was announced March 27.

Debogorski, who last week was contemplating a run as an independent to give disaffected conservatives a home to park their votes, said he walked into Lee's campaign office Tuesday morning to discuss the former territorial health minister's political views.

"After talking to her and hearing some her explanations and some of the things that she's done, I feel that she can do a fairly good job and I'm a supporter," he said.

"I only wanted to run if people don't have a good Conservative option. I could see her rationale and I'm willing to support her in what she's doing."

Liberal candidate Joe Handley said he's not surprised Debogorski has chosen not to run, nor is he surprised the ice road trucker's support has fallen behind the Conservative candidate.

"He wasn't going to go NDP, for sure," he said.

When asked whether he thought Debogorski's endorsement would benefit Lee, the former premier said it's better than the alternative.

"I suppose he'll help her campaigning somehow and that kind of thing. Sure, for her it's much better than having him say no.

"But that's sort of the extent of it. He has the same votes we do and he has the right to work hard on a campaign the same as everyone else does."

Lee nor incumbent Dennis Bevington of the NDP could be reached for comment.

- with files from Nicole Veerman

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