The BC NDP now has its candidate for the Kamloops-North Thompson election race.

Maddi Genn, 27, comes into the race as a political rookie.

She is a union rep for the company she works for, which provides services for at-risk youth.

“It was this really phenomenal opportunity that I had to not just support and advocate for the youth that I work with on a day-to-day basis, but I was also able to really focus a lot of my additional energy into being a union rep,” Genn told Radio NL in a sit-down interview.

Originally from Salmon Arm, Genn moved to Kamloops 10 years ago to attend TRU.

She suggests she can take advantage of her position as a new-comer against more veteran political adversaries.

“I think in a lot of ways, that’s really what our political environment needs right now,” said Genn.  “We have a lot of old people in government that are really just in it for their interests, and what can benefit them.”

Coming into the race with less than 2 months to go before the vote, Genn says her goal is to get out into the community as much as possible.

“One of the best thinks that I can bring to the campaign platform in general is my ability to really connect with people one-on-one,” said Genn.  “My goal throughout this entire campaign is to meet and talk to as many people as possible, to really understand their needs.”

Genn joins fellow NDP rookie Kamal Grewal as the New Democrat representation for the Kamloops ridings.

Genn will be up against three-term BC United MLA Todd Stone and Barriere Mayor Ward Stamer for the BC Conservatives in Kamloops-North Thompson.