Who's running in Surrey-White Rock?
- Trevor Halford, Conservative Party
- Damyn Tassie, Libertarian
- Darryl Walker, BC NDP
What you should know about Surrey-White Rock
Historically a Liberal stronghold since 1991, the riding of Surrey-White Rock has three candidates vying for the honour of representing its constituents in the upcoming Oct. 19 provincial election.
Incumbent MLA Trevor Halford, formerly with BC United, is now the Conservative Party of BC candidate, after BC United (formerly the Liberal Party of BC) leader Kevin Falcon's surprise August move to suspend the Official Opposition's campaign and support John Rustad's BC Conservatives.
A familiar White Rock face is also in the race, with former White Rock mayor Darryl Walker also competing for the riding under the New Democratic Party of BC banner.
Libertarian Damyn Tassie is the other candidate in the race, according to Elections BC.
Former White Rock councillor Scott Kristjanson had been previously announced as the BC Green Party candidate, but he told Black Press Media on Tuesday (Oct. 1) that unfortunately, he didn't realize until two hours after nominations closed that his election-related accountant was supposed to be CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) certified.
Although he had enough signatures and only support from the Greens, the "technical mistake" means he can no longer run. Kristjanson said Tuesday he was saddened for his supporters and voters in the area, and thanked everyone involved.
"It's entirely my fault. Live and learn, I guess," he said.
Halford narrowly won the riding in 2020, with 39.51 per cent of the vote, with NDP candidate Bryn Smyth close behind with 38.69 per cent. He filled the seat that was vacated by Liberal MLA Tracy Redies, who won the riding in 2017 with 49.87 per cent of the votes.
Redies resigned from politics to become the new CEO of Science World.
Her predecessor was Gordon Hogg, who served as the Liberal MLA for Surrey-White Rock from 1997 to 2017 and then as Liberal MP for South Surrey-White Rock from 2017 to 2019.
Where is Surrey-White Rock?
Bounded on the south and west by Semiahmoo Bay, on the east by Highway 99, and on the north by 24 Avenue, the riding contains the southwest corner of Surrey, the City of White Rock, and the Semiahmoo First Nations reserve.
With a history of being solid Liberal territory for more than three decades, and no Liberal candidate running, the fate of this riding will be determined by whether voters resonate most with the Conservatives or the NDP.
