Martin Shields is giving up his role in civic politics to move onto the larger stage of federal politics.

The now, former Mayor of Brooks, won the Bow River riding seat for the Conservatives in Monday nights election.

Shields says civic politicians are always held to account because of their close ties to the community they live in and serve.

He says he'll do his best to continue to operate that way.

"One of the biggest challenges is when you're in the municipality and you're part of the elected body that the people see you on the street, in the coffee shops, in the stores. You bet they stop and talk to you all the time. And the biggest challenge now is that when you spend so much time away from your communities is keeping that network in place so you can stay connected to as many people as possible. And that's the challenge."

Shields says one of his top priorities heading into Parliament on the opposition benches will be to advocate for agricultural producers in his riding.