Christy Clark campaigns in the valley

The front runner in the polls to become the next leader of the BC Liberals was in the Okanagan on Tuesday.

Former radio host Christy Clark was in Vernon and Kelowna for her Christmas campaign.

While she has proven popular with the public in recent polls, Clark admits she is at a disadvantage when it comes to earning the support of the Liberal caucus members who will ultimately decide her fate.

Former Vernon-Monashee MLA Tom Christensen and current Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster have thrown their support behind leadership hopeful George Abbott.

But Clark says she is not too concerned.

She says plenty of people support her, and she remains optimistic her family-first platform will win over caucus members.

When asked about the HST controversy, Clark says she is willing to put the tax to a referendum but only if it has a chance to pass.

She says it is obvious the majority of British Columbians do not support the tax and she would rather save the money related to a referendum and deal with it in the B.C. Legislature.

One issue that has dogged Clark during her campaign is the BC Rail scandal.

Clark has never been accused of anything, but her brother Bruce has come up in several court documents connected to the scandal.

Her ex-husband was also named in the case, but Clark says she has no intentions of re-visiting the issue if elected.