Political hopefuls in Nanaimo-North Cowichan say the B.C. Liberals are falling far behind by not having a candidate in the riding, and have already missed the first all-candidates debate.
The NDP, Green and Conservative candidates in the riding gathered to debate the issues Tuesday night. But, two days into the 28-day campaign, the Liberals are still without a representative.
“Without a Liberal there, there was no fighting or screaming or anything,” said Green candidate Mayo McDonough, the former executive director of the Greater Victoria Better Business Bureau.
Candidates are pleased at the Liberal misfortune in the riding, but not ready to count the party out.
Read more election coverage HERE
“It’s going to be difficult for them to make up lost ground,” said incumbent NDP candidate Doug Routley. “We feel our office has served the community well, so we feel confident if we put forward a good campaign we have a good chance to be successful.
“They’ve definitely got a steep road to climb, starting late. But it has been done before, so I'm sure they’re not going to take it for granted.”
The Liberal party is “finishing its background checks,” on a candidate, said party spokesman Ben James.
“We hope to have our candidate in Nanaimo-North Cowichan announced this week,” James said.
Rob Hutchins, the mayor of Ladysmith, was the Liberal candidate in the 2009 election campaign and finished 4,000 votes behind Routley.
It’s currently a two-way race in Nanaimo-North Cowichan, between the Greens and NDP, McDonough said. “I do really believe you’ve only got two candidates that are viable here.”
Conservative John Sherry “didn’t seem to have any real platform or thoughts” at the debate, McDonough said.
Sherry did not return a request for comment Wednesday.
Still, McDonough acknowledged the riding is traditional NDP territory and the Green momentum being touted in Greater Victoria’s ridings hasn’t quite extended as far north as Nanaimo.
“It’s still a very strong NDP riding here,” she said. “I’m working hard.”
Read more election news HERE
