With the stunning news that BC United is suspending its provincial election campaign, the future of one incumbent and other candidates is up in the air.
On Wednesday afternoon, BC United leader Kevin Falcon announced he's withdrawing from the provincial election in order not to split the centre-right vote.
A joint BC Conservative/BC United statement, that was emailed out by the Conservatives, states that nominations for BC United candidates "will be withdrawn to enable the Conservative Party of BC to draw from BC United's pool of incredible incumbent MLAs and candidates.”
During an afternoon press conference, Conservative Party leader John Rustad said a committee is being formed comprising of staff from both parties to look at all ridings and all candidates to "ensure the best candidates are in place to defeat David Eby and the NDP."
Here in Delta South, incumbent MLA and agriculture critic Ian Paton was to run for BC United seeking re-election.
The Optimist reached out to Paton for comment.
Paton said via text message that he was unable to provide a statement at this time.
No Conservative Party candidate has been announced for the riding as of yet.
The NDP announced a few weeks ago that Jason McCormick will be their candidate in Delta South.
The Green Party does not have a candidate yet for the riding.
In Delta North, where the incumbent is NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, Amrit Pal Singh Dhot was chosen by BC United to run as their candidate, while Raj Veauli was announced as the candidate for the Conservatives.
What their status will be in the Oct. 19 provincial election is also very much unclear.
The Green Party has also not announced a candidate for that riding.
Manqoosh Khan of the Freedom Party of BC is also a candidate in Delta North according to the Elections BC website.
