Christy Clark to seek legislature seat following B.C. Liberal leadership win

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      As she takes the helm of the B.C. Liberal Party, Christy Clark says she will seek a legislature seat through a by-election as soon as she can.

      Clark vowed change in a speech to a crowded room at the Vancouver Convention Centre today (February 26) following the announcement of the vote results.

      "Change begins tonight, and with that change comes a commitment to listen, and a determination to do better by B.C. families," Clark said. "We are going to forge a bigger, better, stronger coalition together."

      Clark said that change does not include an immediate election.

      "There's months and months and months to go before we even start thinking about an election," she told reporters.

      Clark said she would consider outgoing premier Gordon Campbell's riding for a Legislature seat.

      Clark thanked Campbell, as well as the other leadership candidates, in her speech. Kevin Falcon, George Abbott and Mike de Jong joined fellow Liberal caucus members on stage towards the end of her speech and led the crowd in a "Christy" chant.

      Clark won the leadership with 4,420 points after the third ballot.

      Former health minister Kevin Falcon received 4,080 votes.

      B.C. Liberal members cast their vote online or by phone today using a preferential ballot and a weighted voting system, which designated 100 points to each of the province's 85 ridings.

      Six candidates—George Abbott, Clark, Mike de Jong, Falcon, Ed Mayne, and Moira Stilwell—initially entered the race to succeed outgoing premier Gordon Campbell.

      Mayne and Stilwell dropped out of the contest earlier this month.

      De Jong was eliminated after the first ballot, and Abbott came off after the second round.

      Clark will be B.C.'s 35th premier and the second woman to hold the position.

      Comments

      12 Comments

      tim.

      Feb 26, 2011 at 10:51pm

      maybe she should run for gordon campbell's seat, you know, seeing how she ain't much different from him.

      oh, the school closures, bc rail and just reckless policies.

      Call right now

      Feb 27, 2011 at 12:53am

      Call the snap election right now......ndp are leaderless and without a rudder...........not that they arent anyways all the time.....Go Christy!!!!

      Dan Clay

      Feb 27, 2011 at 6:31am

      The knives were put away, after the vote and all became smiles and chuckles and oh gosh, she sounds the same as Gordo. These libs are very skilled at not saying much, standing by as Campbell dictated, and ruled with fear, for 10 years, and now another premier named Clark. I bet you the press wont treat her the same way as previous Premier Clark. Sounds like the new era promises...

      Mr_Buzzer

      Feb 27, 2011 at 7:08am

      The first thing she ought to do is get rid of that 'just rolled out of the sack' hair style.

      Second Nation

      Feb 27, 2011 at 7:53am

      I liked Campbell. I do not like Christy. She's never shown an interest in anything except her own career.

      Oh well, if the NDP can put a decent leader and platform together I might actually consider them. Sadly that option has not existed for me since ....

      B. C. Families

      Feb 27, 2011 at 9:13am

      Families first you say Christie?
      After the way you hammered education would it be fair to say we will believe it when we see it? And just giving back what you took away then saying look at what I gave DOES NOT cut it!
      Now get your humps back into the Leg. and govern! For a change!

      glen p robbins

      Feb 27, 2011 at 9:40am

      Second place would have been better for her and the party. She comes back - is re legitimized and is seen as replacement if the winner loses general election. This is nothing - who remembers Rita Johnson (who replaced Vander Zalm). Christy won the BC Liberal leadership with votes from predominantly BC NDP ridings--including Surrey and Vancouver.

      When the NDP succeeds in Vancouver and Surrey they get well over 50%. Giving Kevin Falcon finance in an attempt to mollify conservatives isn't going to work---besides he will get all the attention while she runs around trying not to die in a by-election.

      Gordon Campbell doesn't want his replacement to win a general election - its all about him--he's an easy political profile--he wants the NDP to win following his Golden shower rrr decade rather. The right tool in the tool box to ensure this happens is Christy. In the 12 years I've been doing public opinion I have never had so much contact from people telling me how much they "hate this woman" "can't stand her" -- and right after she won - from some people I haven't spoken to in quite a while.

      Christy is the manufacture of a media inside job. The pack of dogs that will come out to eat her from the outside will not be pretty.

      It's a little arrogant I am sorry - but when haven't my predictions come true. (It has to do with Tea Leaves,Tarot Cards).

      One more prediction: You are witnessing the beginning of the last stage of any mainstream media domination over politics in the province of British Columbia. I haven't yet introduced one steriod to RSR with every possible combination of political names and words available ready for impression.

      Now that's patience.

      the_rest_of_us

      Feb 27, 2011 at 10:39am

      What is up with the Straight giving so much attention to the Christy Clark and the Liberals??? On the homepage there are eight articles related to Christy Clark and not much else. The Straight seems to be giving her more press than anyone else.

      Are we a little obsessed?

      glen p robbins

      Feb 27, 2011 at 12:08pm

      I like the Straight - but its a Vancouver city based newspaper. This is all about Vancouver and the rest of the province.

      The next few months will be a wide open brawl - my favourite conditions.

      Fan'o Truth

      Feb 28, 2011 at 9:04am

      What happens if Clark runs in a byelection and loses? And remember, Vancouver Point Grey hasn't been totally beyond reach for the NDP in the past. Remember Darlene Marzari?

      Would Clark's lack of Caucus support then become a highly operative factor?

      How long could she be recognized as Premier with no seat in the Legislature? After one loss, what would her chances be on a second attempt, anyplace other than some 70% Liberal seat such as Peace River North for example?