An incumbent B.C. United legislative member has reversed her decision to not seek re-election and has announced she’ll run as an Independent in the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano in the upcoming provincial election.
Karin Kirkpatrick has been a vocal critic of B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon’s decision last month to suspend the party’s campaign and throw support behind the B.C. Conservatives under John Rustad.
Kirkpatrick announced her retirement this year but now says in a statement that her decision to re-enter the race comes as a direct result of Falcon’s actions, which would force middle-of-the-road voters to “swing to the left” in lieu of a centrist party.
She says members of her community told her they “don’t want to vote for an NDP government but felt deeply uncomfortable” supporting the provincial Conservatives, citing Rustad’s tolerance of what she calls “extreme views and conspiracy theorists.”
West Vancouver-Capilano has been a stronghold for the B.C. Liberals — the former B.C. United — since its formation in 1991 and was previously held by longtime MLA Ralph Sultan for almost two decades.
Kirkpatrick joins four other incumbent Opposition MLAs running as Independents, including Peace River South’s Mike Bernier, Peace River North’s Dan Davies, Prince George-Cariboo’s Coralee Oakes and Tom Shypitka in Kootenay-Rockies.