Two former municipal councillors have announced plans to seek federal party nominations in the new electoral district of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke.
Esquimalt’s Dave Hodgins will seek the Green party nomination, while Colwood’s Shari Lukens hopes to run for the Conservatives.
Hodgins, a retired fire chief and former assistant deputy minister who has expertise in emergency management, served on Esquimalt council between 2011 and 2014. He sought the Liberal nomination in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca in 2011, but was defeated by Langford Coun. Lillian Szpak.
Hodgins said he spent months considering which party would be the best fit, this time around. “I came to the realization that the traditional parties are not the way forward. We need something substantively different and the Green party will bring that real change to the table.”
Lukens said she is ready to represent her community in a larger arena.
“I felt success at the municipal level. I know the federal level is a much bigger animal, but I’m motivated,” she said.
The Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke district will include about 113,000 people in Esquimalt, Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Sooke and parts of Saanich.
NDP MP Randall Garrison was nominated as his party’s candidate in the new district at a meeting on Oct. 18. He currently holds the seat in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, which covers an area similar to the new district.
Luke Krayenhoff, who is president of Langham Court Theatre in Victoria, plans to seek the Liberal nomination, according to his website.
The Green party nomination meeting is scheduled for Feb. 14, while Liberal and Conservative parties have not made a date public.
