So which names will be on the ballot for Prince George voters this fall?
That question remains unanswered this morning following yesterday’ bombshell move by BC United leader Kevin Falcon to suspend the party’s campaign for the October 19 provincial election.
“We plan to work together, to go through a process,” said BC Conservative leader John Rustad. “Our intention is to field the best candidates we can, make sure we have the best team possible for the betterment of British Columbia.”
Does that mean existing BC Conservative candidates may be dropped from the ballot in favour of BC United candidates, many of whom are incumbents, who may choose to run for the BC Conservatives? Rustad, asked that question three times Wednesday, refused to answer the question.
“We aren’t going into any details today,” he said. “We are putting together a group between the two parties to do a review and make sure we are fielding the best team possible … we’re going to field the best team we can, we’re going through a process.”
That leaves the future of Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, first elected in 2001, up in the air. BC Conservatives have fielded candidate Rosalyn Bird in the Prince George-Valemount riding. Will Rustad bump Bird in favour of Bond? Will Bond even want to run for the Conservatives? Prince George residents will have to wait to find out.
In the realigned Prince George-North Cariboo riding, incumbent MLA Coralee Oakes was the BC United candidate. Prince George resident Sheldon Clare is the BC Conservative candidate in the riding.
In Prince George-Mackenzie, incumbent BC United MLA Mike Morris is not seeking re-election, however the party had named Kiel Giddens as its candidate. BC Conservatives have named Rachael Weber as its candidate in the riding.
The BC Conservatives currently have candidates named for 83 ridings. BC United, until yesterday, had 57 candidates appointed.
