Former Surrey mayor Dianne Watts announced September 24 she intends to run for the leader of the BC Liberal Party.
Watts is currently serving as MP for Surrey and said she will step down from this position. She is the second candidate to join the race after Sam Sullivan, former Vancouver mayor and current MLA for Vancouver-False Creek, announced his intention to run last week.
“After much consideration, I have decided to seek the leadership of the BC Liberal Party,” Watts said at a September 24 supporter rally in Surrey.
“I have served in public office as a city councillor, mayor and Member of Parliament, and I believe that I can bring a much-needed new vision and common sense approach to the BC Liberal party.”
BC Liberal MLA Andrew Wilkinson is also expected to announce his intention to run at an event scheduled at noon today (September 25).
Watts said her priorities will include jobs in the forestry and resource sectors, affordability for families, addressing the opioid crisis and addressing transportation issues.
“We must reunite people from across this province and across the political spectrum for one common gold: to take our province back from an unstable coalition government,” she said to the crowd.
An August 22 Insights West poll showed Watts as the most highly favoured potential candidate for leader of the party, with a favourability rating of 39%. Sullivan came in second place at 30%.
[email protected]@EmmaHampelBIV
