At least one of the candidates from Saanich North and the Islands will not run again in four years.
In a post-election night interview, Stephen Roberts said he would “probably not” run again in 2021.
The BC Liberal candidate came third in the vote tally in the riding, earning only 8,664 votes (unofficial). That’s nearly 2,000 votes off the pace he set in the 2013 provincial election, when he came second by 163 votes to the BC NDP’s Gary Holman.
“Four years is a long way off, so probably not,” he said.
Thankful to his supporters and volunteers in the riding, Roberts added he will resume his community activities in health care and the arts — and watch with interest the ongoing recounts of this election and the impact on government.
He said the result on the Island may point to voters’ displeasure with Christy Clark and the Liberals in general, adding it’s hard to tell.
As for Holman, he placed second in voting — with 9,761 — behind the BC Green Party’s Adam Olsen, who earned 13,425 votes.
In an emailed statement to the PNR Wednesday afternoon, Holman said he is grateful to his campaign team and volunteers and congratulated Olsen on his election. He also praised Roberts and Templeman for putting themselves forward for public office.
“It’s been an honour to have served as MLA … for the past four years. I hope for continued progress on issues like affordable housing, public transit and reconciliation with First Nations,” he wrote.
Asked via email if he was ready to comment about running again in 2021, Holman provided no comment. He did indicate he plans on communicating with his former constituency soon.