A Coquitlam resident who ran for a school trustee job in the 2014 civic election is the first BC NDPer to declare her intention to run in the upcoming by-election.
On Wednesday, Jodie Wickens announced she plans to go for the party nod in the riding of Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, which was vacated in August after BC Liberal MLA Doug Horne resigned to run federally.
Wickens is the executive director of the Autism Support Network. A one-year party member, it will be her first attempt at a provincial seat.
"I'm running for the same reason I ran last time: I'm very passionate about public education," Wickens told The Tri-City News. "I have young children and I want the best for them."
Wickens, a resident in the Coquitlam-Maillardville riding, is being backed in her campaign by Tri-City NDP MLAs Mike Farnworth (Port Coquitlam) and Selina Robinson (Coquitlam-Maillardville).
Only one candidate for the BC Liberals has come forward so far: Rick Pasin, the outgoing chair of the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce board.
Nomination dates have yet to be set by either party.
The BC Green Party confirmed Joe Keithley as its candidate earlier this fall.
