Political outsider hoping to replace ex-leader Clark
Lucy Sager believeds she’s the outsider needed to kick out the NDP
While some party heavyweights and potential star candidates play coy about their intentions, one B.C. Liberal leadership hopeful has already jumped into the contest feet first.
Lucy Sager, 38, believes she’s the outsider the party needs to get the party back in power and put the province back on track.
A resident of Terrace, she toyed with “North of Hope” for a campaign slogan, before settling on “Bringing British Columbia Together.”
Although a champion for those outside the Lower Mainland, she also didn’t want to turn off those in the big cities.
The mother of two, whose company, Spirit Strategies, is focused on business development and First Nations engagement, says she’s familiar with the South Okanagan, having raced in an Oliver Half Iron Triathlon and served as a coach for Cycling BC.
Still, she’s not pre-supposing what she would bring to residents here if picked to lead the Liberals.
A leader is someone who “has the ability to listen, to learn and to understand what is your vision and your values and what you see as being successful, and how we can ensure your elected official has the right tools to ensure your needs are being met,” explained Sager.
“I can’t tell you what you need. You need to tell me what you need, and then we need to go to work together to make sure it happens.”
What she brings to the table is an “unbelievable amount of practical experience,” from raising children and owning a small business to working in the oil and gas industry.
Sager, who has an MBA, also doesn’t carry any “political baggage” like the other rumoured candidates, all of whom are professional politicians.
“I think we need to understand that leadership is for everyone. Leadership is not just for people who are politicians or were born into political families or have worked in politics their whole lives, î she said.
The total cost to run in the race is $50,000, with the first $10,000 due Sept. 25. Sager is soliciting donations to raise the money, but doesn’t begrudge the party for setting the bar so high.
“They want to make sure that people are serious, and it takes some money to run a campaign all around the province,” she said.
“If you can’t find $50,000, you’re probably not going to be able to play the game.” The new leader will be announced Feb. 3. Rich Coleman, who grew up in Penticton but now serves as an MLA in Langley, will stay on as deputy leader until then.
He replaced ex-premier Christy Clark, who resigned in June following a caucus retreat in Penticton.
Rumoured leadership candidates include former cabinet ministers and current MLAs Mike Bernier, Todd Stone and Andrew Wilkinson, plus current Conservative MP and former Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.