Karen Long will run for the B.C. United party in the new Langley-Abbotsford riding in the next provincial election.
Describing herself as “very passionate” about the area’s agricultural heritage and a supporter of the B.C. United platform on farming, Long – a well-known community volunteer with multiple non-profit groups – made the announcement on Monday, Dec. 11 in Abbotsford, at an event with party leader Kevin Falcon and other candidates.
Calling the riding “mainly rural,” Long said “we need to provide better support to our farmers, our agricultural sector, businesses, and industries to achieve affordability, food security and sustain a healthy way of life. As a mother, and a grandmother, I know first-hand the struggles of young families and seniors in our communities.”
Usually what she calls a “behind-the-scenes” person, Long said the move to a more public role as a provincial candidate is “a good next step” for her.
“I’m very excited,” she told Black Press Media.
Long, 64, estimated she has been volunteering with various Aldergrove-based community organizations for more than 25 years.
Originally from Surrey, Long came to Aldergrove in 1989. Her first business venture was a stationery store, Aldergrove Office Products, which she operated from 1996 to 2000.
Long has volunteered with the Aldergrove Festival Days Society, Aldergrove Community Enhancement Society, Aldergrove Agricultural Association, Aldergrove Elks, and the Rotary Club of Aldergrove.
She has served as president of the Langley Volunteer Bureau, Aldergrove Fair Days, Rotary Club of Aldergrove, as well as treasurer of Tourism Langley, and a director on the boards of the B.C. Farm Museum Association and Aldergrove Business Association.
“But now the next step is, maybe there’s something I can do at the next level, really be out there and be able to stand up and make sure concerns are addressed,” Long said.
One of several new electoral districts created for the 2024 election, the 283-square-kilometre Langley-Abbotsford riding has an estimated population of 56,458.
A B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission report shows it “encompasses most of the Township of Langley, including Murrayville, Fern Ridge [sic], Glen Valley, and Aldergrove. Its boundaries follow the Canada-U.S. border in the south and the Fraser River in the north. It follows 196th Street in Langley Township in the west and Bradner Road in the City of Abbotsford in the east.”
Also announced on Monday as a BC United candidate was Markus Delves for Abbotsford South.
Mike de Jong currently serves as the BC United MLA for Abbotsford West and has not announced whether he will run again.
No BC United candidate has yet been announced for Abbotsford-Mission, which is currently served by NDP MLA Pam Alexis, who announced last week that she will seek-election.
British Columbians are set to go to the polls on Oct. 19, 2024.
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