B.C. snap election October 24 as major candidates announce re-election bids
Four NDP cabinet ministers confirmed they're running again as B.C. prepares for a provincial election. Some high-profile figures announced they won't seek re-election.
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B.C.'s snap election is scheduled for October 24. Four NDP cabinet members announced Wednesday they will seek re-election: Mike Farnworth, Adrian Dix, Bowinn Ma and Josie Osborne.
Other candidates announced bids across the province. Jinny Sims, a former MP and former provincial cabinet minister, is running as the NDP candidate in Surrey-Panorama. Richard Zussman, a legislative journalist turned communications executive, is the NDP candidate in Saanich South.
In a significant move, Elenore Sturko, leader of the newly formed CentreBC party, announced that Andrew Weaver—the former BC Green leader—will be the party's candidate in Oak Bay-Gordon Head. Emily Lowan, the Green Leader, announced plans to run in Saanich North and the Islands, a riding currently held by the Greens.
Among those stepping away, Brenda Bailey, a former finance minister, confirmed she will not seek re-election, making her the fourth high-profile NDP cabinet member to announce she won't run again. Conservative Linda Hepner announced she is not seeking re-election in Surrey-Serpentine River.
John Rustad, the former B.C. Conservative leader, will not stand in Nechako Lakes, the riding he has represented since 2005. Under Rustad's leadership, the B.C. Conservatives grew from less than 2 per cent of the vote to official Opposition status. The party's election readiness committee approved every sitting member to run except Rustad.
Rob Botterell, a Green Party member of the two-person Green caucus elected in 2024, announced he is not running again. The status of Jeremy Valeriote, the other member of that Green caucus, remains unknown.
By the numbers
How many NDP cabinet ministers announced they will seek re-election?
Four: Mike Farnworth, Adrian Dix, Bowinn Ma, and Josie Osborne.
Which high-profile B.C. Conservatives will not run again?
John Rustad, the former B.C. Conservative leader, will not stand in Nechako Lakes, the riding he has represented since 2005. Linda Hepner, a Conservative, announced she is not seeking re-election in Surrey-Serpentine River.
