School trustee Allan Wong still plans to run for reelection with the Coalition of Progressive Electors, even though he’s openly supporting city councillor Raymond Louie’s campaign to win Vision Vancouver’s nomination for mayor.

“Allan has a long-standing relationship with Raymond and has made an endorsement, and that’s perfectly within his right as a school-board trustee,” COPE executive member Rachel Marcuse told the Straight.

COPE park-board commissioner Loretta Woodcock noted that this kind of arrangement draws attention to what she described as a “proverbial question in politics”.

“I think relationships are important in politics,” Woodcock explained to the Straight. “It’s a question of where do you have a larger allegiance—to your relationships or to your party?”

Wong didn’t return a call by the Straight ’s deadline.

School trustee Sharon Gregson announced on May 1 that she’s leaving COPE to join Vision Vancouver. NPA trustee Eleanor Gregory is backing NDP MLA Gregor Robertson for Vision’s mayoral nomination.