A Watson Lake truck driver is ready to roll into federal politics.

James Hartle wants to be the federal Conservative party's candidate in the Yukon in the upcoming election.

The 45-year-old Watson Lake resident has never run for office before. However, he wants into the chase for the Yukon MP's seat because he wants to work to improve the territory's future.

'For 25 years, I've sat on the sidelines and I've complained, as many of the citizens (have),' said Hartle, who announced his candidacy Friday afternoon.

Hartle believes the mismanagement of the federal Liberal government is the reason for the territory's problems and he wants to help oust the Grits to ensure the improvement of the country.

'I see that the economy of the Yukon has been (stagnant). A lot of it, I feel, has been problems caused by the federal government, by the lack of action to get the economy moving,' he said.

As a Conservative MP, Hartle said he would do whatever he could to get more money coming into the territory and make the Yukon self-sufficient.

He would prefer Ottawa to be more active in allowing that kind of investment to come to the Yukon 'to get away from the status quo of handouts.' He sees a Conservative government doing that.

Hartle doesn't see the Liberal party, which has mismanaged taxpayers' money through the recent sponsorship scandal, as being capable of allowing for money to come into the territory.

It's the Liberals' mismanagement which he thinks could lead to his victory over Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell, if he wins the Conservative nomination.

'He's part of the Liberal administration' which has proved to be poor managers of Canadians' money, said Hartle.

'What I'm offering to the people of the Yukon is a person who can work just as hard.'

Hartle, who was born in Saskatchewan, moved to Watson Lake in 1991. He has worked for various businesses since, including as a driver for different transportation companies.

Hartle currently hauls diesel and gasoline between Watson Lake and Whitehorse. He's also operated a boat charter company and been a partner in a digital imaging business, all based in Watson Lake.

For him, running for the Conservative party is the natural choice.

'I've always been a conservative-minded person.'

He believes in people going out and working to create their own wealth.

Hartle's announcement came after former Canadian Alliance head Stephen Harper won the leadership of the new Conservative party nine days ago. Prior to Harper's victory, no one had announced an intention to run for the party.

He would have supported any of the candidates for leader.

'Right now, I have no problems supporting Mr. Harper 110 per cent.'

The candidate plans to travel and talk to people throughout the territory in his bid to win the nomination.

Hartle is the second person to say he wants to seek the new, right-wing party's nomination.

Early last week, Whitehorse resident Don McKenzie said he wants to run for the party.

Michael Lauer, the president of the Yukon wing of the federal party, said today Hartle is the first candidate officially in the race whose nomination form has been approved by the party.

McKenzie's form, along with that of someone else, is still being approved by the party's head office.

There has been no date set as of yet for the nomination meeting. Under the current rules, the local organizers must notify head office 30 days in advance of the meeting.

New members must then be signed up 21 days before the meeting and all candidates must have their forms in within 14 days of the vote.

Under those rules, the earliest a meeting could be held right now is Apr. 29, and the local officials have yet to go to Ottawa with a date.

However, if Prime Minister Paul Martin calls an election before the meeting is held, Lauer said, headquarters will speed up the nomination process.