The last time a well-known community  organizer (Barack Obama)  ran in an election, he was elected president of the United States.

Kitsilano community organizer Mel Lehan has a far more modest goal: he merely wants to defeat the premier of the province, Gordon Campbell.

In an e-mail to his supporters, Lehan has stated that he will be acclaimed as the NDP candidate in Vancouver-Point Grey on Tuesday (January 6) at St. James Community Square (3214 West 10th Avenue).

You can read Lehan's e-mail below:

Hi Friends,

Happy New Year!!!   I hope that you have had a relaxing holiday with friends and family.

It's going to be an exciting year for me.   I will be running as the NDP candidate in the upcoming provincial election this May against the Premier, Gordon Campbell.   I ran against him in the last election and came within 2250 votes of winning.     We are starting our campaign much earlier this time and feel confident that this will be a very close race.

I am unopposed in my bid to be the NDP candidate.   There will be a nomination meeting where I will be acclaimed next Tuesday, January 6 at St. James Community Square (3214 West 10th Ave.) at 7:30 pm.

I am inviting you to come to this celebratory kickoff to my campaign. Besides my nomination, this evening will feature spectacular local Greek dancers in traditional costume and David Chudnovsky, Kensington MLA, talking about his report on homelessness.

I would love to see you there to help me to kick off my campaign to win back a riding where environmental, social and economic health will become the number one priority.

This is a celebration, and you do not have to be an NDP member or live in the riding to attend.   Having you there will be a gift to me.

I hope to see you next Tuesday.

All my best wishes,

Mel