The two remaining BC United MLA candidates for Richmond are still committed to the race, but their flags are still waving in the wind.
Wendy Yuan, Jackie Lee and Pavan Bahia were BC United’s Richmond candidates for the upcoming Oct. 19 provincial election.
Following party leader Kevin Falcon’s announcement of suspending BC United’s campaign in late August, the future for these candidates became uncertain.
However, a letter to party members on Sept. 6 says some BC United candidates will run in the upcoming election after all, in order to ensure it remains a registered political party with Elections BC.
"I want to reiterate that we have simply suspended the full province-wide BC United campaign for this upcoming provincial election," wrote BC United executive director Lindsay Cote.
It is still unclear how many members will participate in the election and for which ridings.
The reason for BC United’s decision was to avoid splitting the centre-right vote and to “defeat the NDP,” according to Falcon.
The candidates
Yuan, BC United candidate for Richmond Centre, says she’s not going home just yet, and remains fully committed to participate in the election after knocking on around 9,000 doors; however, it is still unclear under what banner she will do so.
Following the letter from BC United, this opens the possibility of representing the party if the riding is selected to participate in the election, or running as an independent, she told Richmond News.
“I’m committed to the people of Richmond Centre. I cannot just say I’m going home,” she said. “All the votes that we ID’d were under the BC United banner. If they ask me if I want to run under their banner, that will be an option for me.”
“It’s new (the letter), so we don’t know how many (candidates) are running; two, five or six?” she added.
At the moment, Yuan and Dickens Cheung, an independent candidate, are the only ones in the Elections BC’s candidate list for the Richmond Centre riding.
However, Richmond News spoke to Conservative candidate Hon Chan, who confirmed his commitment and participation in the election for this riding.
Jackie Lee, BC United candidate for Richmond-Steveston, also appears to remain committed to staying in the race, according to a social media post on Aug. 30.
“BC United’s campaign suspension has shocked our community,” he said. “Despite this, the unwavering support from Steveston residents has been heartening. I remain committed to representing you and fighting for a better future.”
In August, Lee said he’s still going door-knocking following his party’s suspension, but he won’t be handing out any brochures. He will have to wait for BC United’s decision to include his riding, or to run as an independent.
Lee’s name can be seen on the Elections BC’s candidate list; however, so does Michelle Mollineaux’s, the Conservative party’s candidate for the riding.
Richmond News tried to contact Lee, but received no response.
Bahia, BC United candidate for Richmond-Queensborough, has recently announced he will step down and suspend his campaign, according to a social media post on Sept. 4. His name cannot be seen on Elections BC’s candidate list.
“I’ve enjoyed my short run as a candidate,” he wrote. “However, with BC United ceasing operations, I feel I have no provincial home that truly aligns with my centrist political values and beliefs. So it is with some sadness that I leave this campaign.”
Steve Kooner will represent and remain as the Conservative party’s candidate for Richmond-Queensborough.
With files from Maria Rantanen and the Canadian Press
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