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What we know: Who’s up for election this fall in the South Okanagan

Premier Horgan has called for a snap election to be held Oct. 24
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Premier John Horgan holds his first press conference of the year as he comments on various questions from the media in the Press Gallery at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, January 13, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

With a provincial snap election just over a month away, we’ve gathered what we know about candidates seeking election, or re-election, in South Okanagan ridings.

This comes after B.C. Premier John Horgan this morning announced he has terminated his minority government agreement with the B.C. Green Party, and called an election for Oct. 24.

READ MORE: Citing stability, B.C. Premier calls snap election for Oct. 24

Black Press Media earlier reported that Horgan said he has “struggled mightily” with the decision to call an early vote, but the long duration of the pandemic requires stability.

In the South Okanagan, just a few individuals have stepped forward so far to announce they are running again.

For the Penticton riding, Toni Boot (BC NDP) and Dan Ashton (BC Liberals) have put their names forward.

READ MORE: Summerland mayor to represent NDP in next provincial election

READ MORE: Ashton questions need for fall provincial election

Ashton announced Sept. 17 he would be seeking re-election. In his announcement, he questioned the need for a fall election.

He also took to Twitter after Horgan’s Monday announcement, stating the news was, “Disappointing but not surprising.”

“This decision from John Horgan is clearly about power with no regard for public safety,” he said on social media.

Ashton was elected MLA for Penticton in 2013 and re-elected in 2017.

On Sept. 16, Summerland mayor Toni Boot announced she would be representing the BC NDP in the Penticton riding. Boot is currently the mayor of Summerland, and is a former small business owner.

Also in Summerland, a councillor made headlines last week after he announced his bid for an NDP nomination was rejected.

READ MORE: Summerland councillor’s bid for NDP nomination rejected

For the Boundary-Similkameen riding, Linda Larson (BC Liberals) announced last year she will not be seeking re-election. No others yet have submitted their names.

READ MORE: ‘Two terms is enough’: Boundary-Similkameen MLA says she is retiring

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Phil McLachlan

About the Author: Phil McLachlan

Phil McLachlan is the editor at the Penticton Western News. He served as the reporter, and eventually editor of The Free Press newspaper in Fernie.
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