Sam Sullivan wins B.C. Liberal nomination in Vancouver–False Creek

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      In the end, it wasn't even that close.

      Former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan took 53 percent of the 515 votes (not counting two spoiled ballots) tonight for the B.C. Liberal nomination in Vancouver—False Creek. 

      Runner-up Lorne Mayencourt, a former B.C. Liberal MLA, ended up with 202 votes and lawyer Brian Fixter came third with 40 votes.

      "I am so deeply moved," Sullivan told reporters shortly after his victory was announced at the Century Plaza Hotel.

      Later, he declared that he took no joy in defeating Mayencourt, who represented Vancouver-Burrard in the legislature from 2001 to 2008.

      "He has served the public so well for so many years," Sullivan said. 

      Mayencourt was not present in the room when the results were announced.

      Sullivan attributed his victory to his campaign's focus on young people, noting that Vancouver–False Creek has the lowest average age of any constituency in B.C.

      "These are the people that are making the economy of our future," he said. "We need to support them."

      Sullivan also emphasized his desire to promote the arts.

      "This riding is not only downtown British Columbia, it's the seat of many of our cultural organizations, the cultural industries," he stated. "It's actually an economic issue. We need to provide the best, thriving, rich, dynamic cultural environment. I want to get involved in that."

      Sam Sullivan is declared the winner.

      In 2005, Sullivan narrowly defeated Christy Clark for the NPA mayoral nomination. When asked about his relationship with the premier, Sullivan described her as "a classy lady".

      "She got involved with the [2005] campaign, helped me out, sat on the committee," he recalled. "Politics is interesting, you know. One day, you're enemies. The next day, you're friends."

      He claimed not to know much about Matt Toner, a digital-media entrepreneur who is running for the NDP in Vancouver–False Creek. "He's an unknown, so I'm looking forward to learning more about him," Sullivan said.

      Sullivan has been out of politics since late 2008, when his only term as mayor expired. He was on Vancouver city council from 1993 to 2005.

      More recently, he has taught at UBC and ran a society offering public lectures on a wide range of issues. 

      "I realized all of the great thoughts, all of the academic studies, aren't worth anything unless you do something with it," he said.

      Comments

      10 Comments

      e.a.f.

      Feb 20, 2013 at 11:55pm

      another wonderful lieberal candidate who no one wants. we can add him to the list of star candidates like Plecas. lovely boat christie wants to row with. nothing here to help her win an election, of course I'm sure sammie wants to win and hope c.c. looses so he can run as lieberal leader?????

      Ke Dongshan

      Feb 21, 2013 at 6:01am

      Why would Vancouver-False Creek want such a vindictive and acid-tongued man like Sam Sullivan to stain its reputation?

      Bruce

      Feb 21, 2013 at 8:03am

      I'm very suspicious of any politician who wants to run alongside Christy Clark. Either they're deluded or they've got their eyes on a backroom reward.

      Community Observer

      Feb 21, 2013 at 12:46pm

      I'm very suspicious of any politician who wants to run alongside Dix. After all, Dix back dated a memo to keep Glen Clark out of legal and political trouble and what will he do as premier? Ethics are missing in the NDP. Say anything, lie and have no integrity. Supporters of the NDP are either deluded or they've got their eyes on a backroom reward, just like the supporters of the Reform/Alliance/Conservative Coalition of the Ignorant!

      the Pope

      Feb 21, 2013 at 3:52pm

      Sullivan AKA The Joker

      Yolanda

      Feb 21, 2013 at 4:43pm

      Bruce, you're silly if you think he wants to run along side her. It's all about making the party look unified. He simply can't say anything bad and have the party against him.

      That being said, later Christy. Anyone could do a better job. Except maybe Dix or Jenny Kwan.

      iSheep

      Feb 21, 2013 at 7:57pm

      I used to live in that riding...

      Why would anyone Vote for any BC Lie-beral Drunk Driver supporting Corporate Welfare pawns?

      I take the NDP any day over the BC - Lieberals...

      * BC Rail Fiasco / Corruption

      * BC Lie-berals $565 Million Leaky Tarp Roof :)

      * BC Lie-berals Corporate Welfare Owe-lympics

      * Billions in Deficits for the Corrupt Owe-lympics

      * PPP Corporate Welfare for BC Lieberals 'Friends'

      * $$$ Billions in Enron Style Off Balance Sheet BC Hydro Debt for Corporate Welfare PPP Above Market Rate Guaranteed Contracts to be paid for by the people of BC,

      * What Corporation would not like your to have Government
      guaranteed Revenues regardless of the actual Market
      Price of the Product or Service they sell?

      * aka Legalised Corruption by way of supply Contracts.

      At least the NDP are not headed by a convicted Drunk Driver and they are not for massive Corporate Welfare.

      Where have you been over the last decade 'Community Observer'?

      Where's your outrage at the 'Ethics' of the BC Lie-berals or you a rigid far right wing Corporate Welfare supporter regardless of the Corporate Welfare & Corruption?

      Fred

      Feb 21, 2013 at 10:22pm

      Really, iSheep? So you'd prefer a fiscally challenged NDP? Not that anyone really cares what you think when you aren't even aware of who the current leader of the Liberals is.

      Martin Dunphy

      Feb 21, 2013 at 10:38pm

      Fred: I think it is just a matter of punctuation.
      Read "drunk-driver-supporting corporate-welfare pawns".
      I'm pretty sure most people realize Gordon Campbell is no longer in charge.

      PJ

      Feb 22, 2013 at 9:27am

      When it seems only a fraction of voters came out, it must be a sad state of people to vote for.NDP screw ups Lib.screw ups so they pick the best and hope for better things.There is another party out there or is everyone afraid of hidden agedas and its better with the devils we know rather then letting in someone that might make a difference in the provice.