Photo courtesy Twitter/BC Conservatives.
The BC Conservative Party says it will have a candidate in the race for the Nanaimo seat in the legislature.
In a release Friday in supporting the results of the B.C. referendum on electoral reform, the party says it will be “contesting the upcoming Nanaimo byelection,” and will announce a candidate in the coming weeks.
The conservative party holds no seat in the legislature and said in the release it looks forward to a party leadership race in 2019.
The Nanaimo riding has long been held by the New Democrats, but a byelection is coming after previous MLA Leonard Krog left his seat after being voted the city’s mayor.
The byelection will be a key one that could change the political landscape in B.C.
The NDP/Green Alliance holds 43 seats, one more than the opposition Liberal party.
Sheila Malcolmson, the former Nanaimo-Ladysmith Member of Parliament, is running for the NDP in the byelection, while the Liberals are countering with local businessman Tony Harris.
The BC Green Party chose Michelle Ney to run in the riding.
The retired teacher is also the daughter of former Nanaimo mayor Frank Ney.
Candidates say housing, environment, payroll taxes, and transportation will be the top issues of debate until Nanaimo voters go to the polls.
A byelection date has not yet been set.
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