John Horgan set to announce plans to vie for BC NDP leadership

Another candidate is expected to enter the race to become the next leader of the BC NDP.

Opposition house leader John Horgan is set to make an announcement today in his home riding of Juan de Fuca.

He would be the second candidate to throw his hat in the race to succeed Adrian Dix, who plans to step down once the party chooses a new leader. The party’s  finance critic Mike Farnworth announced his plans to run for leadership earlier this month.

“Horgan’s entry into the race means it is officially getting under way, but it will likely still take time for the leadership race to really get energized,” says Global BC Legislative Bureau Chief Keith Baldrey. “The NDP is still grappling with some internal baggage that wasn’t there in the previous leadership campaign that elected Adrian Dix.”

Baldrey says the unexpected election loss has drained the party of some energy and confidence.

And the fact there are only two candidates in the leadership race will make it challenging to whip up a lot of interest in the race.

“I would consider Horgan the guy to beat though. As likeable a candidate as Mike Farnworth is, I suspect Horgan will be better organized and that counts for a lot when you’re only wooing party members and not the general public for support,” says Baldrey.

READ MORE: Who will replace Adrian Dix as leader of the B.C. NDP

In the 2011 leadership race, Horgan finished third behind Dix and Farnworth.

The next leader will be chosen on Sep.28 following a four-day voting period. The deadline to become a voting member of the party is June 26.