Neufeld to seek Tory nomination

Marshall Neufeld has publicly declared his intentions to seek the Conservative nomination in the South Okanagan-West Kootney riding in the next federal election.

Neufeld told The Western Advertiser late last week that he will seek the party’s nomination in the new riding which includes Penticton, Naramata, Oliver, Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls, Kaleden, and much of the Kootenays.

Neufeld, a realtor and long-time volunteer with the Conservative party, ran unsuccessfully for the Okanagan Coquihalla nomination in 2011, losing to Dan Albas.

In 2014, he won the party’s nomination against challenger Rick DeJong, a city councillor in West Kelowna and brother of former B.C. finance minister Mike DeJong.

In the 2015 election, Richard Cannings of the NDP won the riding with 24,823 votes (37.3 per cent), Neufeld was second at 19,871 (29.8) and Liberal Connie Densiuk a close third with 18,732 (28.1). Green candidate Samantha Troy of Rossland collected 2,792 votes (4.2) and independent Brian Gray, 376 votes.

A date for a nomination meeting has not been determined.

Other possible candidates rumoured to be interested or who are being enticed to seek the nomination by party members include Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen chair Karla Kozakevich of Naramata; Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes; 2011 B.C. Southern Interior Tory candidate Steven Hill; Penticton city councillor Helena Konanz; and businessman Jim Dunlop.