Carol Leclerc defeated Carol Fielding last night to claim the BC Liberal nomination for the Skeena riding in next May’s provincial election.
Leclerc, who works in human resources at the Coast Mountains School District, defeated Fielding, the executive director of the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce, by 60 votes to 33.
“This is a team that’s going to have a chance to win this riding. I know I can appeal to people in the middle of the road,” said Leclerc who retired from municipal politics last fall after nine years on city council.
She criticized current Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin for being invisible and pledged to work with community members.
Voting took place at the Best Western Inn in Terrace through the afternoon and early evening.
“I think it’s great. We had two good candidates, both different,” said Fielding after the vote total was announced..
“She had a much better grasp of the campaign… was able to rally the votes, she’s a campaign-ready girl,” added Fielding of Leclerc.
Provincial agriculture minister Norm Letnick from Kelowna was the keynote speaker.
He’s taking Leclerc and Fielding to breakfast this morning and is then off to the farmers market.
Approximately 50 people were on hand for speeches, a reception and vote tally release.
Those present included former Skeena Liberal MLA Roger Harris, city councillor Brian Downie, who sits on the executive of the Skeena BC Liberal constituency association, city councillor Bruce Bidgood, who is an NDP supporter but who said he was there to support Leclerc and two former Terrace mayors, Jack Talstra and Dave Maroney.
Just under 400 BC Liberals were eligible to vote.
