It was a full house last night at the Days Inn for the first of six Sask Party Leadership Debates.

Pat Smith is a former PC MLA for the Swift Current constituency and says she’s looking for a strong leader that has a vision of Saskatchewan and where it can go.

"Right now we're in political, economical, and social changes. And we're going to see even more of that especially given our First Nations people, and I think that's going to be a real challenge for whoever becomes leader," she said. "But it's going to take strong leadership, and it's going to take somebody that's willing to listen, but willing to bring people in to give not just cabinet decisions but from the public."

The crowd at the debate was well represented across the age and business spectrum.

Amanda Farnsworth works in the oil industry and talks about some of the things she'll be thinking about when she marks her ballot.

"I want someone who is going to continue what Brad Wall's started and keep families coming back here," she said. "I want to raise my family here like I was raised. And I'm looking for a candidate that's going to hold my values true and take our Saskatchewan beliefs to Ottawa and hold strong - to not back down, not weaken, and be that strong role model that Brad Wall has been."

Doug Gillespie says he’s looking for someone who is approachable will standup for Saskatchewan and will helps with our growth, jobs, and keeping young people in the province.

"It was very well done, and the speakers all put a lot of good ideas forward. It was very interesting. It had some variations and some very good thoughts. It was a good thought-provoking evening."

Swift Current’s Mayor Denis Perrault was also in attendance. The City, of course, will be dealing and negotiating closely with the next leader as well.

"I look for somebody that's just going to find common goals between all three levels of government, and ultimately get win-win-win situations. I'm excited. I'm excited to see the next debate, and I'll be watching all of them intently as I'm sure everyone in Saskatchewan will."

Members of the Sask Party will elect their new leader and our next Premier in January.