Newly-minted Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau has been reelected in the riding of Cowichan Valley, Global News projects.
Furstenau won the seat in 2017 with 11,475 votes and won by 1,872 or a margin of 6.1 per cent.
But the NDP has historically done well in the riding and is hoping to shore up the internal problems that plagued them last time around. Regional politician Lori Iannidinardo carried the NDP’s banner in 2017, but only after an internal fight about the party’s equity mandate and received 9,603 votes.
The BC Liberals finished a close third, with 8,400 votes.
Furstenau is spending less time in her riding this election as she travels the province. She has attended multiple local debates while also participating in province wide leader debates. One of her favourite spots on the campaign trail has been the famous market in Duncan. It’s not just full of good, locally produced products but full of locally produced voters.
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She is not looking to be the premier but is looking to have a voice at the table to represent her community and Green supporters across the province.
“Honestly I think I should be one of the people that should be leading this province. I think leadership is best when it is not all in one person’s hands,” Furstenau said.
The NDP have nominated North Cowichan municipal councilor Rob Douglas to try and win the seat back for the NDP. Prior to serving on council, Douglas was a director on the Cowichan Valley Regional District board.
One of the main issues in the riding is the need for a new high school. Douglas says it is something he has heard about on the campaign trail and has brought to the attention of NDP leader John Horgan.
“That’s a big one,” Douglas said.
“We’re making progress in these areas. And I’d like to be that strong voice for the Cowichan Valley and be at the table beside John Horgan and part of a government to continue building on this progress.
The BC Liberals have nominated Tanya Kaul, a recreation programmer with the Cowichan Valley Regional District and former BC Liberal caucus staffer.
Nominated Candidates
- BC Greens: Sonia Furstenau
- BC Liberals: Tanya Kaul
- BC NDP: Rob Douglas
Swing Riding Meter
The riding has only been around for three elections. The Greens won in 2017 and Bill Routley won for the NDP in 2013 and 2009. Known as Cowichan-Malahat from 1972 to 1986, and Cowichan-Ladysmith from 1991 to 2005, the riding has in total gone to the NDP in 12 of the last 15 elections.
Cowichan Valley was the 8th closest riding in the province based on the victory percentage in 2017. It was the closest race of the three seats the Greens won.
Election Results 2017
Green: Sonia Furstenau — 11,475 votes (37.5%)
NDP: Lori Iannidinardo — 9,603 votes (31.3%)
Liberal: Steve Housser — 8,400 votes (27.4%)
Independent: Ian Morrison — 502 votes (1.6%)
Libertarian: James Anderson — 393 votes (1.3%)
Independent: Samuel Lockhart — 145 votes (0.47%)
Independent: Eden Haythornthwaite — 124 votes (0.4%)
This profile will continually be updated to reflect latest information, interviews and events in the campaign.
Find full B.C. 2020 provincial election coverage here.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots were requested across B.C. this election. As mail-in ballots cannot be counted until after election night, these results are not final.
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