FILE PHOTO: Ben Stewart with Premier Christy Clark in 2013.

(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA – A well-known politician is taking aim at the vacant seat left by former premier and Kelowna-West MLA Christy Clark.

Former two-term MLA Ben Stewart announced his intention to seek the B.C. Liberal nomination today, Aug. 1.

“It was a genuine honour and love to work for the families and constituents of Westside Kelowna, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve again,” Stewart says in a media release.

Clark announced July 28 she is resigning as both MLA and Liberal party leader. That means West Kelowna residents will be going to the polls in a by-election to endorse a new MLA.

Stewart won the seat in 2013, but gave it up to Clark after she lost her riding of Vancouver-Point grey. She ran in the riding of Kelowna-West during this year’s election and won.

Stewart has served as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Citizen Services and Open Government, Public Affairs Bureau and Multiculturalism, Minister of Community and Rural Economic Development, according to his media release.

After departing politics in 2013, Stewart accepted an appointment as British Columbia’s Special Representative in Asia, and served with the Ministry of International Trade and Investment from October 2013 to December 2016.

“It is critical that we continue to address trade barriers and remain competitive both at home and abroad,” Stewart says.“At a time of instability with softwood lumber, NAFTA, and other trade uncertainties, Kelowna-West requires experienced and qualified leadership.”

Stewart is asking anyone who would like to volunteer for his nomination campaign to contact the office at BenStewart.KelownaWest@gmail.com.

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