Ben Stewart is heading back to the B.C. legislature.
The Quails’ Gate Estate Winery owner won a byelection in the riding of Kelowna West on Wednesday night.
In a tweet, Stewart said he was “humbled” by voters’ support.
“On behalf of the BC Liberal caucus, I would like to congratulate Ben Stewart on his exceptional victory in Kelowna West tonight,” said BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson.
Get daily National news
“The message we are hearing tonight is clear: as the party with the most seats in the legislature, it is up to us to ensure British Columbians don’t face the consequences of the broken promises and reckless actions of the NDP.”
WATCH: Kelowna West byelection candidates
With 97 ballot boxes reporting, Stewart had 5,690 votes compared to 2,514 votes for BC NDP candidate Shelley Cook. BC Green Party candidate Robert Stupka had 1,437 votes.
- ‘They’ll be losing out’: Province cuts funding for Delta seniors’ fitness program
- Online harms bill to include social media ban for children under 16: source
- Police say 6 arrests made during Toronto’s Walk for Israel
- Alberta’s Smith says the law will be enforced if separation vote spurs civil disobedience
-
![]()
Ipsos poll finds support dropping for Alberta separation -
![]()
Tens of thousands of Jewish community members walk alongside allies in record-breaking 57th annual Walk With Israel -
![]()
Some Vancouver businesses frustrated over FIFA World Cup influence -
![]()
Alberta premier Danielle Smith’s approval rating slips over handling of separatism, poll finds
The seat was left vacant when former premier Christy Clark quit politics.
Stewart gave up his seat, which was then known as Westside-Kelowna, in 2013 to allow Clark to have a seat in the legislature following the BC Liberals’ surprising election win where then then-premier lost her own seat of Vancouver-Point Grey.
READ MORE: Ben Stewart calling it quits
Following his resignation, Clark appointed Stewart as B.C. special representative in Asia.
He held the $150,000 a year job until Dec. 30, 2016. Stewart served in former premier Gordon Campbell’s cabinet, including as minister of agriculture.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.