The province’s former minister of transportation and infrastructure has entered the race to lead the B.C. Liberal Party.

Today (October 10), Todd Stone, the MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson, made the news official with an announcement in Surrey.

He was joined by two other former cabinet members of the previous Liberal government. The former health minister, Terry Lake, was there, as was Peter Fassbender, who served as B.C.’s minister of community, sports, and cultural development and the minister responsible for TransLink. A third high-profile MLA, Jane Thornthwait, was also in attendance, along with Greg Kyllo, the MLA for Shushwap.

In seeking the leadership of the Liberal party, Stone joins a crowded field. His competitors include:

• Mike Bernier, Liberal MLA for Peace River South
• Michael Lee, Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Langara
• Mike de Jong, Liberal MLA for Abbotsford West
• Sam Sullivan, Liberal MLA for Vancouver–False Creek
• Dianne Watts, former Conservative MP for South Surrey-White Rock
• Andrew Wilkson, Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Quilchen

The position of head of the B.C. Liberals was left vacant when former B.C. premier Christy Clark announced on July 31 that she was leaving politics.

Clark’s resignation followed a very close provincial election last May, when the Liberals won 43 seats to the NDP’s 41 and the Green’s three. The NDP and Greens passed a vote of no confidence that forced Clark from power on July 18. Then they formed a minority government with the NDP’s John Horgan named premier.

The leader of the B.C. Liberals will be selected via an internal party vote, with the winner scheduled to be announced on February 4, 2018, at a convention in Vancouver.