B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins will run in Langley in May's provincial election.
The former longtime MP for Delta-Richmond East announced on the weekend he chose the district in part because he has made it his home for the last couple of years.
"I will be campaigning in Langley on the same issues that B.C. Conservative candidates across the province will be seeking election in May," Cummins said.
"Langley residents, like British Columbians everywhere across the province, want to see fundamental change in Victoria. The B.C. Conservatives represent a viable free-enterprise alternative to the status quo."
Liberal cabinet minister Mary Polak has held the seat since 2005. She won handily in the last election, taking 56 per cent of the vote, but it remains to be seen how things will unfold with the Liberals now floundering in the polls.
The decision by Cummins ends any speculation that he could run in Delta, where he won federal elections by wide margins and had great popularity.
He told the media that some supporters wanted him to run in Delta again.
As a Conservative MP, Cummins gave a ringing endorsement to Vicki Huntington's campaign in Delta South in the 2009 provincial election campaign. Now the MLA, Huntington, a longtime friend of Cummins, has stated she'll likely remain an independent in this year's provincial election.
The Conservatives have stated they wouldn't run a candidate in Delta South out of respect for Huntington, even though the riding's electoral history lends itself to a right leaning candidate.
The absence of a Conservative candidate here would eliminate one potential vote-splitting scenario.
The Liberals in Delta South are gearing up for the election with a nomination meeting set for Jan.
22. Coun. Bruce McDonald last week announced he's seeing the nomination and will square off against Tsawwassen businessman Bruce Fougner.
Nic Slater is the New Democrat candidate in the riding.
The Greens also said they won't run a candidate here out of respect for Huntington.
The election is set for May 14.
