BC United candidates in Abbotsford say they are open to other opportunities to serve the community in the future, following the announcement on Wednesday (Aug. 28) that the party has suspended its provincial election campaign.
BC United leader Kevin Falcon and Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad held a joint news conference to announce the decision and to indicate they will work together to ensure the NDP is not re-elected in October.
BC United candidates had previously been announced for all four local ridings: Markus Delves in Abbotsford South, Merrick Matteazzi in Abbotsford-Mission, Karen Long in Langley-Abbotsford and Dave Sidhu in Abbotsford West.
Sidhu announced on Aug. 14 that he was pulling out of the race after his wife was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Matteazzi said on Thursday (Aug. 29) that although he is disappointed for his supporters and donors, he agrees with Falcon’s decision.
“The fear of vote-splitting was very legitimate, and having the NDP get re-elected would only embolden them to continue down the destructive path they’re on, doubling down on bad policy, which I feel would be a disaster for our province,” he said.
Matteazzi said among the issues he is most concerned about are “surging homelessness, record overdoses, massive budgetary deficits, rampant crime .. the cost of living exploding (and) our absolutely collapsing health-care system.”
“The NDP in power will cause long-lasting negative effects, and they need to be out of power now. So a two-party race and a coalition of the centre-right voters is what’s best for the province,” he said.
Matteazzi said, as a federal Conservative, he has “no issues” supporting the BC Conservatives.
“They have my full confidence,” he said.
Matteazzi said if there is an opportunity for him to serve the community in the future, he will do so.
Delves said he, too, is open to other opportunities in politics, although he has no immediate plans.
He said he found out about Falcon’s decision on Wednesday from a supporter who had seen social media posts about it.
“It was certainly shocking to hear the news,” he said.
Delves thanked his supporters for their “hard work and encouragement.”
“Although my campaign is ending, I remain deeply committed to the well-being of Abbotsford and will continue to find ways to make positive impacts in the community,” he said.
Long said she is “deeply committed to finding ways to make positive impacts in our community.”
She has been a volunteer and community leader in Langley-Abbotsford for more than 25 years.
“I am truly honoured by all the amazing people who have supported me along this journey, I want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart,” she said.
The other candidates previously announced locally are:
• Abbotsford South – incumbent Bruce Banman (Conservatives) and Sarah Kooner (NDP)
• Abbotsford-Mission – Reann Gasper (Conservatives) and incumbent Pam Alexis (NDP)
• Abbotsford West – Korky Neufeld (Conservatives) and James Davison (independent)
• Langley-Abbotsford – Harman Bhangu (Conservatives) and former MP John Aldag (NDP)
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