More back Stone for Liberal leader
10 political, business leaders from Okanagan among those who have declared support for candidate
Ten Okanagan political and business leaders have thrown their support behind Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone for B.C. Liberal leader. They are: — Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson
— Lake Country Mayor James Baker — Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton — Enderby Mayor Greg McCune — Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz — Spallumcheen Mayor Janice Brown
— Kelowna city Coun. Tracy Gray
— Lloyd Callahan of Callahan Property Group in Kelowna
— Michael Sidhu, Oliver orchardist
— Larry Gray of Connect Lease in Kelowna.
On Tuesday, Stone’s campaign released the list of 111 high-profile citizens who want him to be the next party leader and eventually premier.
Some of the notable supporters include former B.C. Liberal leader Gordon Wilson, Olympic gold medallist and Sen. Nancy Greene, Richmond South Centre MLA Linda Reid, Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar, Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson.
Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson had previously endorsed Stone at a news conference, attended by the two of them, Dec. 6 at Kelowna’s Hotel Eldorado.
Stone is a former tech company founder and CEO who is now serving his second term as MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson.
When first elected in 2013 and the Liberals formed the government, he was minister of transportation and infrastructure.
After being elected MLA for a second term, and the Liberals not forming government, he became opposition critic for municipal affairs.
The Liberals are electing a new leader after Christy Clark resigned last year as leader and Kelowna West MLA.
The NDP ended up forming the provincial government, but Clark had won the local seat.
Her resignation also means a byelection will be held in Kelowna West to determine who will be MLA. The date for the byelection hasn’t been announced, but word is expected soon.
Former Kelowna West MLA Ben Stewart will try to regain the job for the Liberals.
Former John Howard Society executive director Shelley Cook is running for the NDP, and engineer Robert Stupka is representing the Greens.
However, the vote for Liberal leader will be Feb. 1-3 and the winner will announced on Feb. 3.
Five others are vying for the job: former MP and Surrey mayor Dianne Watts, Vancouver-False Creek MLA Sam Sullivan, Abbotsford West MLA Mike de Jong, Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee and Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Andrew Wilkinson.