Former education minister Mike Bernier is dropping out of the race to become the next leader of the B.C. Liberals.
Bernier made the announcement in Vancouver this morning, saying he polled well in the province’s north and interior, but struggled to break through in the Lower Mainland.
He says he made the decision “for the benefit of the party.”
The MLA for Peace River South has thrown his support behind Mike de Jong, who served as finance minister under former premier Christy Clark.
Bernier’s announcement comes the day before candidates are set to face off in the first debate of the debate of the campaign.
Seven candidates are now left in the race, including de Jong, Todd Stone, Andrew Wilkinson, Sam Sullivan, Michael Lee, Dianne Watts and Lucy Sager.
