Abbotsford school trustee Preet Rai has been acclaimed as the BC NDP candidate for Abbotsford West in the provincial election on May 9.
The riding is currently represented by Mike de Jong, who was first elected as an MLA in 1994.
Rai, a chartered accountant, is now in his third term on the Abbotsford board of education.
He has served with many community organizations, including the Abbotsford Youth Commission, the Canuck Place campaign executive committee, AbbyFest, The Reach Gallery Museum, and Literacy Matters.
Rai is originally from India, and immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1992, working for the Scottish government.
He moved to Canada in 1995 and has been working for the provincial government since 1997.
His wife is a teacher, and they have three children.
“As a school trustee, I’ve seen the damage Christy Clark’s policies have caused for children and their families in our community,” Rai said.
“It’s time to fund schools properly and give children the chance to succeed in life. I want to work alongside John Horgan and the BC NDP to make life better for everyone, not just the wealthy.”
BC NPD leader John Horgan said he is “very pleased” that Rai has chosen to run in Abbotsford West.
“With deep roots in the community and the insights he brings as a school trustee, he will fight hard for his constituency,” Horgan said.
Rai is the 10th BC NDP candidate nominated this year who has municipal government experience.