Interior Provincial Political Races Firming Up

With yesterday's announcement of MLA Terry Lake (BC Lib - Kamloops-North Thompson)  not seeking a 3rd Term, the race to succeed Terry Lake as the BC Liberal nominee in Kamloops-North Thompson began in earnest in the local Kamloops media.  Notable names included Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar and Kamloops North Shore BIA Executive Director Steven Puhallo.  Both Mr. Puhallo/Mayor Milobar stated that they need to take time to speak to their local networks/families before make any firm commitments

This is not unexpected from both Milobar/Puhallo and perhaps others yet to announce - I expect that those who are serious about becoming the next BC Liberal Party's nominee in 2017 to represent Kamloops-North Thompson will take the next few weeks to consider their own positions before making any public announcements.  Meanwhile, the BC NDP, Greens and Communist Parties have indicated that they will run candidates in both Kamloops North/South Thompson ridings. Meanwhile - it looks like a Todd Stone vs Nancy Bepple fight in Kamloops South Thompson, notwithstanding other parties who will put up candidates in this riding.  If I was a betting man - bank on Todd Stone continuing as the MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson after the May 2017 Provincial Election.  Finally - will the BC Conservative Party field candidates in the May 2017 BC Election? The answer to that question will depend who is elected as the BC Conservative Party Leader at its' Leadership Convention in Prince George on Saturday, September 17th and whether or not that new leader will run 87 candidates in the 2017 provincial election or be strategic and run candidates in those provincial ridings where the BC Conservatives have the best chance at winning.  Consider the case of the BC Greens focusing on Oak Bay - Gordon Head in the 2013 Election, hence the election win by Dr. Andrew Weaver

Meanwhile - in other places in the BC Interior:

Prince George - all 3 incumbent BC Liberal MLA's will seek re-election (Shirley Bond, John Rustad and Mike Morris).  Expect BC NDP/BC Greens to run candidates here

Cariboo - No announcements yet.  Watch for the 2 incumbent BC Liberals' MLA's to seek re-election (Coralee Oakes - Cariboo North & Donna Barnett - Cariboo-Chilcotin).  Expect BC NDP/BC Greens to run candidates here

I am expecting election races to be close to completion by the end of this year in Prince George, Williams Lake and Kamloops ridings

~SF