The Conservative Party of British Columbia has picked its candidates for the two ridings that encompass the City of Kamloops.

Barriere Mayor Ward Stamer will be running in the newly redrawn Kamloops-North Thompson riding, while Dennis Giesbrecht will be doing so in newly-created Kamloops-Centre riding.

Stamer is serving his second term as Barriere mayor, having also spent 10 years as a Councillor since he was first elected in 2008.

He also sought the federal Conservative nomination in Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo after Cathy McLeod announced her retirement, but lost to current MP, Frank Caputo.

Giesbrecht ran for the BC Conservative party in the current Kamloops-North Thompson riding in the 2020 provincial election He also unsuccessfully ran for a seat on Kamloops City council in 2018 and 2022.

Stamer will be running against incumbent BC United MLA Todd Stone in Kamloops-North Thompson, with the BC NDP and the Green Party yet to nominate candidates.

Giesbrecht will be going up against incumbent BC United MLA Peter Milobar in Kamloops-Centre. Incumbent Councillor Bill Sarai is eyeing the NDP nomination, while the Green Party has yet to pick a candidate.

Stamer and Giesbrecht will be holding a media availability at 10 a.m. this Friday, March 15, where they will share their vision for the region.

The next provincial election is scheduled to be held on Oct. 19.