In the wake of the political fall-out in Kamloops, the political race in the Vernon-Lumby riding has gotten more interesting.
Former BC United candidate Kevin Acton, the long-time mayor of Lumby, has decided to stay in the race as an independent.
This comes after the BC Conservatives tapped Peter Milobar to run in Kamloops Centre, parachuting Kamloops candidate Dennis Giesbrecht into Vernon-Lumby on Tuesday, even though Acton had expressed his interest in flipping over to the Conservatives.
“Extreme disappointment and frustration with the party and a lot of the funny business that went with it,” Acton told Radio NL. “One has to ask themselves why would they parachute a candidate that came in fourth behind the Greens in Kamloops in 2020.”
“My brain instantly goes to favors, political favors. There’s some back room deals going on there, which — I must admit — as a 14, 15 year mayor, I really didn’t think that actually existed,” said Acton.
Acton says since the flip by the BC Conservatives was made on Tuesday, support for his candidacy has grown.
“Within literally minutes, my entire team had confirmed that they’re still with me. To be honest with you, there’s been an addition of about a half a dozen people so far, maybe more,” said Acton. “People are trying to write me cheques already.”
Acton, as an independent, will be up against the BC Conservative’s Giesbrecht and NDP incumbent Harwinder Sandhu.