Two provincial Liberals are preparing to run again, while another hasn’t confirmed yet.
Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, and Norm Letnick, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA, have confirmed they will seek re-election May 9, 2017, while Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo is undecided.
“I still enjoy it and there are a few more things I’d like to see done,” said Foster, who is in the midst of his second term and is also Liberal whip.
Among the issues he wants to focus on are Vernon Jubilee Hospital upgrades and affordable housing.
“I would also like to help build the economy. We are seeing some progress,” he said, adding that he is confident the Liberals can hold on to power.
“Your record is what people go on. We have a good record. There is a balanced budget and we have the strongest economy in the country.”
A Liberal nomination meeting has not been held in Vernon-Monashee yet.
Letnick was acclaimed as the party’s candidate in Kelowna-Lake Country earlier this week.
“Service to my community is more than a single action, it’s a lifetime privilege,” said Letnick in a news release.
“And now, as a new grandfather, I have even more motivation to make sure the needs of all my constituents are strongly represented in Victoria, for their benefit and to benefit our next generation.”
Letnick has served as the Kelowna-Lake Country MLA for the last seven years and as agriculture minister for three years.
Kyllo was elected as Shuswap MLA in 2013.
“I’m really enjoying the work and it’s my intention to run, but I will hold off on a formal announcement until August,” said Kyllo, who is also parliamentary secretary for the B.C. Jobs Plan.
Kyllo says he needs to make a joint decision with his wife and the major factor to consider is his family, which includes five grandchildren and one on the way.
“it feels good to be representing the area but it’s been a huge learning curve. It’s a lot different from the private sector,” he said.
Premier Christy Clark, who represents the North Westside, is expected to be acclaimed as the Liberals’ Westside-Kelowna candidate.
— with files from Alistair Waters, Kelowna Capital News