An incumbent MLA and a Coquitlam city councillor were acclaimed this week to run as BC Liberal candidates in the upcoming provincial election.
On Monday, MLA Doug Horne (Coquitlam-Burke Mountain) and Coun. Linda Reimer were accepted by their respective riding associations at a meeting in Port Moody's Inlet Theatre.
Horne was elected in May 2009 and, in September, was appointed parliamentary secretary to Premier Christy Clark; he also chairs, is a vice-chair and a member of a number of legislative and select standing committees.
On the acclamation, Horne told The Tri-City News on Tuesday: "I was happy to see that I didn't have any challengers. I hope that people see that I'm doing a good job."
Horne will face one of four candidates vying for the NDP nod in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain: punk rocker Joe Keithley, former Coquitlam councillor Barrie Lynch, Olympic wrestler Chris Wilson and former council candidate Vincent Wu; a nomination date has been set for March 3.
Reimer, a second-term city councillor, is expected to face former Port Moody mayor and NDP MLA Joe Trasolini, who was elected to serve the Port Moody-Coquitlam riding in a byelection in April. Trasolini is the party's housing, construction and business development critic.
A nomination date is expected in early February, Trasolini said.
Meanwhile, in Coquitlam-Maillardville, a seat currently held by NDP MLA Diane Thorne, who will retire in May, Coquitlam Coun. Selina Robinson was acclaimed last month by the New Democrats. No BC Liberal candidates have been announced for that riding, a party spokesperson said, but the Green Party of BC has listed Edward Stanbrough as a potential contender for its party. He has yet to get the green light from the riding association to run.
The BC Liberals also have no candidate named to date in Port Coquitlam, a riding held by NDP MLA Mike Farnworth, who is expected to be acclaimed next month or in early February, said his campaign manager, PoCo Coun. Brad West.
The provincial election is scheduled for May 14, 2013.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
