Linda Hepner running as mayoral candidate for Surrey First party

Surrey First has announced their mayoral candidate to replace Dianne Watts.

Linda Hepner says she’s excited to run for mayor of B.C.’s second-largest city and that reducing crime will be a top priority.

Hepner has been a city councillor since 2005.

Watts announced earlier this year she would not be running for re-election after serving three terms as mayor and nine years as a city councillor.

Fellow councillor Barinder Rasode left the party last month to sit as an independent. She is expected to challenge Hepner for the mayor’s chair.