Steven Puhallo (on right) announces he is seeking the Liberal Party Nomination for the provincial riding of Kamloops-North Thompson, joined by (from left to right) Brenda Prevost, executive director of the Centre for Seniors Information; Keith Matthews, former chief of the Simpcw First Nation; and former provincial cabinet minister and Kamloops MLA Kevin Krueger.
(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)
September 02, 2016 - 1:11 PM
KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops business leader is the first to throw his hat in the ring for MLA Terry Lake’s job.
One day after the Health Minister announced he would not be seeking reelection, North Shore Business Improvement Association executive director Steven Puhallo says he will be running for the B.C. Liberal Party nomination in Kamloops-North Thompson.
“Today I’m announcing my intention to seek the party nomination for the 2017 provincial election,” he says. “I believe in the people of this riding, I truly believe in them and I believe I’m the best person to represent them.”
Puhallo has the backing of former Kamloops MLAs Kevin Kreuger and Claude Richmond.
“It’s just an amazing group that’s come together over the last 24 hours,” Puhallo says.
Puhallo says his life and experience in the riding means he has a strong understanding of the people who live in the area. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative and sees provincial debt as a central issue.
While he officially made the announcement at 11 a.m., Sept. 2, speculation on social media was confirmed early this morning after a Facebook page was set up for Puhallo’s campaign.
Puhallo was the president of the Kamloops-North Thompson Constituency Association for the Liberal Party. He stepped down last night ahead of today's announcement.
The NDP already have a candidate in the riding. Barbara Nederpel will be acclaimed later this month.
The Communist Party also has a candidate running in the riding.
Lake announced yesterday he would not be seeking reelection after two terms in as the MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson and three years as the health minister.
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