The BC NDP in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain has a candidate for the upcoming by-election.
On Sunday, party members in the provincial riding chose Jodie Wickens over Shari O'Neill to represent them in the race, which was prompted following the resignation of BC Liberal MLA Doug Horne.
The pair also squared off for a Coquitlam school trustee seat in last fall's civic election.
Members cast their vote at the Coquitlam Public Library for Wickens, a long-time Coquitlam resident and the executive director of the Autism Support Network.
Wickens' nomination was backed by the Tri-Cities' two NDP MLAs: Mike Farnworth (Port Coquitlam) and Selina Robinson (Coquitlam-Maillardville).
"It is a sincere honour to be the BC NDP candidate in the upcoming by-election," Wickens said in a news release. "I care deeply about opportunities for Coquitlam families who are being ignored and left behind by Christy Clark.
"This is a growing and vibrant community with new families moving in everyday yet we have the lowest education funding per student in the province. I will fight hard to represent families in Victoria."
Added BC NDP Leader John Horgan: "In this by-election, people in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain will have a clear choice: More of the same with a BC Liberal or a vote for change by electing a BC
NDP MLA. Jodie will be a powerful advocate in the Legislature."
Wickens will face Burnaby resident Joe Keithley on the ballot. The frontman for DOA was acclaimed as the party candidate in September. The BC Liberal nominee will be picked next week.
A date for the by-election has yet to be announced; however, the provincial government has until Feb. 17 — six months after Horne quit — to call the contest. It also has until Jan. 13 to call a by-election in the riding of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant following the departure of NDP MLA Jenny Kwan, who successfully won a federal seat Oct. 19.
