A former BC Liberal and federal Liberal candidate is backing the BC NDP contender in Coquitlam–Maillardville for next month’s vote.
Will Davis is formally endorsing Jennifer Blatherwick, a Coquitlam trustee in School District 43 (SD43), to replace incumbent MLA Selina Robinson, who is leaving provincial politics.
In a release issued Monday, Sept. 9, by BC NDP Communications, Davis stated the Oct. 19, 2024, election is a choice between the BC NDP leader, Premier David Eby, and John Rustad, the leader of the BC Conservative Party.
On Aug. 28, BC United leader Kevin Falcon suspended his party’s election campaign.
“I’m hearing from people who have voted for me, and the BC Liberal Party in the past, that they feel they don’t have a political home right now,” Davis stated in the release.
“There’s a lot at stake for our community, our children and our province in this election. Under Mr. Eby, and Mr. Horgan before him, I have seen real investments in things that matter to a centrist like education, housing and healthcare.”
Davis added, “There is more to do and I just can’t trust Mr. Rustad’s coalition on the right to make life better for my family. In fact, I am concerned he will make it much worse.”
In 2021, Davis took 27.3 per cent of the federal vote in Port Moody–Coquitlam over the NDP's Bonita Zarrillo. The year previous, Davis went against MLA Robinson in Coquitlam–Maillardville and scored 28.60 per cent of the vote.
Blatherwick said she’s pleased to have Davis’ support, citing the need for housing and healthcare action.
“John Rustad has promised to cut healthcare by $4.1 billion,” she stated. “He continues to support candidates that promote conspiracy theories, and disparage women and marginalized groups. Rustad is too big a risk.”
Last week, at the campaign office launch for the BC NDP candidates in the Tri-Cities’ five constituencies — an event attended by Eby — several high-profile Liberals were present including Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam MP Ron McKinnon and Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, a former a BC Liberal MLA.
Here’s who is on the Oct. 19 ballot in the Tri-Cities thus far:
- Coquitlam–Burke Mountain
- Jodie Wickens (NDP)
- Stephen Frolek (BC Conservative)
- Port Moody–Burquitlam
- MLA Rick Glumac (NDP)
- Kerry Van Aswegen (BC Conservative)
- New West–Coquitlam
- MLA Jennifer Whiteside (NDP)
- Ndelle Massey (BC Conservative)
- Maureen Curran (BC Green)
- Coquitlam–Maillardville
- Jennifer Blatherwick (NDP)
- Hamed Najafi (BC Conservative)
- Nicola Spurling (BC Green)
- Port Coquitlam
- MLA Mike Farnworth (NDP)
- Keenan Adams (BC Conservative)
- Adam Bremner-Akins (BC Green)
Do you know what electoral district you live in for the October vote? You can visit Elections BC's website and enter your address.
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