A familiar name will be running for the New Democrats in Delta South in the next provincial election.
Nic Slater, who was the NDP candidate for Delta-Richmond East in this year's federal election, was acclaimed Thursday as the provincial New Democrat candidate for Delta South.
In a phone interview prior to his acclamation, Slater told how independent MLA Vicki Huntington wouldn't do as well in the upcoming election.
"Last time we didn't put up a huge fight. Vicki also got a head start on everybody when she was asked to run by both of the main parties and did well putting her name forward, but she doesn't have that opportunity this time. Even then, she only won by something like 30 votes," he said.
In the 2009 election, Huntington narrowly beat Liberal Wally Oppal, due in large part to many traditional NDP voters switching to Huntington as a strategic move.
"I don't really see Vicki having too much chance winning this time despite best intentions. I think the battle will be a three-way battle and I think it's going to be tight.
Even federally, I got 24 per cent. Some of that was Richmond, but when you look at the votes, you don't have to go that much higher and you're in the money with the other two parties," Slater said.
In the federal election in May, Slater garnered more than 11,000 votes for just over 23 per cent of the vote, far behind the Conservatives' Kerry-Lynne Findlay but in front of the Liberal candidate. It was the highest total ever for a New Democrat candidate in Delta-Richmond East.
As far as the NDP chances in Delta South with all the changes that have occurred on the provincial scene, Slater said, "Whether we have a shot at it, we'll have to wait and see, but we're certainly not going to lay down this time and give it to them. That being said, I think both the Liberals and Huntington are going to have to fight for every vote they get."
It's not clear when Premier Christy Clark will call an election, but there's speculation the writ could be dropped as early as September.
Provincial Conservative Leader John Cummins, the former longtime MP for Delta-Richmond East, said he hasn't decided yet where he will run.
As far as inviting Huntington to join his ranks when the election is called, Cummins would only comment that she had been elected as an independent, and that's how the electorate would expect her to stay until an election is called.
"Vicki got elected as independent and my advice is that's where she should stay. What she does next time, that's a decision she'll make at the appropriate time," Cummins said.
It's not clear at this point whether Huntington will remain as an independent or perhaps is considering joining the Conservatives, although at a town hall meeting earlier this year she said she's happy where she is and wouldn't join anyone unless her constituents were consulted.
On the Liberal front, former Delta school trustee Kelly Guichon recently announced her intention to seek the nomination in Delta South. The party still needs to acclaim her or hold a nomination meeting if others step forward.
