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Goldsmith-Jones plans behind-the-scenes role in campaign

Liberals, NDP hope to have candidates by end of month
gsj
Pam Goldsmith-Jones speaks at a Sechelt Chamber of Commerce event. File photo

Outgoing West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Pam Goldsmith-Jones says she’ll be staying behind the scenes in the coming campaign.

The Liberal incumbent announced in early May that she would not run for re-election, leaving the party to start the search for a replacement candidate.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of people who’ve expressed interest,” Goldsmith-Jones said in an interview for Coast Reporter Radio. “There are two or three [people] who have taken out nomination papers … I think we’ll have a good candidate by mid-August. Meanwhile the organization and the volunteers are working hard to be ready to go.”

Goldsmith-Jones also said that once the party’s candidate is chosen and the campaign kicks off, she’ll take a step back.

“I believe very strongly that I’m passing the torch, that I’m leaving things I feel in strong shape, first of all for the Liberal government, but also for our communities,” Goldsmith-Jones said. “I will certainly support the future MP, but I will be playing a behind the scenes role.”

With the Oct. 21 election now fewer than 80 days away, the NDP is the only other major party without a nominated candidate.

Goldsmith-Jones said she doesn’t see that as a disadvantage.

“In my experience the summer is useful for door knocking, but people aren’t really tuned into the federal election. I think in September and October they will be. I think this will definitely be an exciting contest.”

NDP riding association president Larry Koopman, who was the party’s candidate in 2015, said at least two interested people have come forward and are going through the vetting process.

Koopman said the potential candidates are from the Whistler and Sunshine Coast areas and the party hopes to hold a nomination meeting toward the end of the month.

Conservative Gabrielle Loren secured her nomination in May, and Green Dana Taylor and Doug Bebb of the People’s Party were nominated by their parties in June.

All three have already been out door knocking on the Sunshine Coast.

You can hear our Coast Reporter Radio interview with Pam Goldsmith-Jones at www.coastreporter.net/audio.