Beverley DeSantis, the CEO of Tourism Kamloops, is seeking the federal Conservative nomination in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.
She announced her intention to replace the retiring Cathy McLeod on the NL Morning News today.
“Now more than ever I think that our community as well as our whole country need the support of people who have been in business, been in communities and worked along side those that have really struggled and we need a strong voice in Ottawa now probably more that ever,” she said.
DeSantis says she has been considering running for public office for a few years. With the tourism industry suffering due to COVID-19 concerns, she says she will user her profile and experience to make a difference for people across the southern Interior.
“[Politics] has always been in my nature. My dad was very involved in politics, my family and I’ve always volunteered, run campaigns and I see the difference politicians can make to our lifestyle and to our communities,” she added.
When asked why the Conservatives, she says she thinks of the all the current leaders, Erin O’Toole can work best across party lines.
“I really think that it’s important to be dedicated to a party but as we’ve seen, you have to be able to cross parties to get things done. You know we’re seeing that down in the States more that ever now, how that divide can really destroy a country,” DeSantis said.
“Mr. O’Toole, I believe, is trying to bring the parties together. I believe in what he is doing, his main messaging and the party policies and what they stand for are within my D.N.A. and I believe within the community of Kamloops, in the D.N.A. of our hard working citizens here.”
Prior to her role as CEO of Tourism Kamloops, DeSantis served as the Calgary and Southern Alberta Director for Business Link Alberta where she supported entrepreneurs in start-up and developing their businesses.
She has also been on the board of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and the Western Canada Theatre among others.
In 2015, DeSantis unsuccessfully sought the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta nomination bid in the Calgary-Fort riding.
It’s unclear at this time if there will be other candidates seeking the Conservative nomination in the riding.
The next federal election is currently scheduled for for Oct. 2023, though with a minority government in place, a snap election could be called any time before that.
