Ashton not crazy about campaigning
Dan Ashton doesn’t like campaigning. “I enjoy talking to the people that I represent,” he said in a one-on-one interview with The Herald on Saturday.
“I do not like being out there trying to sell yourself and the party that you represent. People should be electing the individuals as they know them... if a person’s stuck to their guns, stuck to their promises.”
Ashton has campaigned once every three or four years since 1999 when he was first elected to Penticton city council in a byelection. Since then, he’s never lost an election.
“Campaigns are never easy,” said the BC Liberal candidate who’s seeking his second term in Victoria. “You have to deal with a lot of uncertainties. It’s a very good riding, area wise, because you can literally see the whole riding from Penticton — Peachland, Summerland, Naramata. You’re at the will of the people and the will of the party. Most people realize I do things on an individual basis. You should be electing an MLA who you want to represent you.”
From talking with people in the riding, Ashton believes the economy is the top issue with most voters.
“No. 1 is jobs and the economy, although we have a lot of retirement-aged people who are concerned about healthcare. We know what’s happening with the new hospital in Penticton but we need people working in the hospital, working in the community.”
Ashton was asked about his chances on Tuesday and his party’s.
“I’m never confident,” he said. “To be very frank, I have two other strong candidates that I’m up against in this election. I do not take anything for granted. I work like I’m one vote behind until the polls close and I’m not stopping until that point.The team of volunteers we have helping with this campaign is incredible.”
On the provincial level, he’s not concerned about opinion polls stating pollsters and media picked it wrong in 2013.
“I hope our party does win. No party is perfect, but when you take a look at B.C., we’re an icon in the country, let alone a lot of places in the world. British Columbia has a strong economy and it’s generating jobs and with that comes the opportunity to build new hospitals and build new infrastructure.”