Tsawwassen resident Bruce Fougner has officially thrown his hat in the ring for the Delta South Liberal nomination in next year's provincial election.
Fougner, president of a Vancouver travel agency and a newcomer to politics, made the announcement Wednesday.
"At the end of the day, it was a decision I made with my family. They are all excited about it and support me in this. The nomination is the first step," he told the Optimist after holding a press conference earlier in the day.
Fougner has been active in the community's sports scene for years, including roles with soccer, baseball and basketball organizations.
For the last six years he served on the Delta Hospital Foundation board, and prior to that spent several years supporting the United Way of the Lower Mainland.
Fougner said the main reason he's decided to seek the nomination is his concern the NDP could win the next election.
The last time the NDP was elected, B.C. became a have-not province, he noted.
"If the Liberals were way out in front in the polls, I wouldn't even be considering this," he said.
Fougner said although the riding association didn't have a candidate, it was able to secure a meeting with government officials regarding the dredging issue.
He said it's important for the riding to have an MLA who's part of government and can get things done.
"It's really hard as an independent to get anything done. My skill as a businessman is to think outside the box and look for creative solutions to things. So, I see a lot of opportunities here in Delta South."
Fougner said he's spoken recently to several friends who have political experience, including Val Roddick, Wally Oppal and current MLA Gordon Hogg, who all gave him some pointers.
He calls himself a "fiscally conservative guy" who's frustrated "there's one taxpayer and three levels of government spending our money, a lot of them thinking they have earned that right to do it, but they don't talk to each other."
The only other person who has stepped forward as possible candidate for the Liberal nomination is Delta Chamber of Commerce president Kelly Guichon. The former school board chair announced her intention to seek the nomination over a year ago, but in an interview several weeks ago expressed frustration that a nomination meeting hasn't been held.
Guichon this week said she's still considering her options as to whether she'll seek the nomination, but she also welcomes Fougner's entry.
David Fredricksen, vice-president of the riding association, said a date hasn't been set for a nomination meeting. He noted the latest it would be held is the end of January, although he's hoping to have it at least a month prior.
Whoever wins the nomination will have to face MLA Vicki Huntington, who has indicated she'd likely remain an independent, as well as NDP candidate Nic Slater.
The Conservatives recently stated they likely wouldn't run a candidate in Delta South out of respect for Huntington, but it remains to be seen by next May if the party still feels that way. The Greens also said they wouldn't run a candidate.
The provincial election is scheduled for May 14, 2013.
