Greg Lawrence and Warren Michelson have chosen sides in the Saskatchewan Party leadership race. 

In January, the Sask Party will choose a leader to replace Premier Brad Wall, who is retiring from politics. 

There are five announced candidates so far, including MLAs Scott Moe, Gordon Wyant, Kevin Cheveldayoff and Tina Beaudry-Mellor.  In addition, Alanna Koch is taking a run at the job and has taken a leave of absence from her role as deputy minister to the premier. 

Moe, the Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA who gave up his role as Environment Minister to join the race, announced his candidacy September 1. He did so surrounded by 21 other Sask Party MLAs, including Lawrence, who represents Moose Jaw Wakamow.  

"He brought 21 of us together, not just to win the nomination for the Sask Party leadership, but to beat the NDP in the next general election in 2020," said Lawrence. "I think he's the best person for the job."

"I think Scott most aligns with what I believe," Lawrence continued. "He's been the one to stand with Saskatchewan people - our farmers, entrepreneurs, our business owners, to fight a federally imposed carbon tax."

Meanwhile, Michelson, the Moose Jaw North MLA, has decided to support Cheveldayoff, the longtime Saskatoon MLA.

"The best selection for winning the next election, and the next election after that..would be somebody who's got a fair amount of experience in the Legislature," said Michelson. "Ken's been there (since first being elected in 2003)."

"I think he's got some great leadership abilities," said Michelson, alluding to Cheveldayoff's various portfolios, including time as Minister of Crown Corporations, Minister of Enterprise, Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy and Minister Responsible for Trade. He was most recently Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission.

Michelson says that whatever the outcome at the leadership convention slated for January, the party will come out a winner.

"We've got some great candidates," he stated, adding that it's important not to let the respective campaigns get in the way of party unity.

"I don't think there's any room for any kind of divisions, and we have to avoid that," Michelson stated. "I've talked to a number of the candidates and they're of the same opinion: 'let's be adults about this, stick together and move on together'."

Lawrence concurred. 

"It will be good for party renewal," he said, regarding the leadership race. "It will bring up some good debate (and) I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues, notwithstanding who they're supporting."

The Saskatchewan Party leadership convention is scheduled for January 27, 2018.