Exiting the leadership race, Simons backs Horgan

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First Harry Lali. On Thursday, it was Nicholas Simons.

John Horgan is hoping the fact that the departing candidates in the BC NDP leadership race have been backing him as they exited will provide helpful momentum with undecided voters.

Time is running out for the support to make a difference. BC New Democrats choose a new leader among four remaining candidates on April. 17.

On Thursday, Mr. Simons, the Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA, stood by Mr. Horgan's side outside the Vancouver convention centre where New Democrats will hold their leadership gathering and dropped out of the race.

"John has what it takes to not only lead the party, but to be a dynamic premier after the next election," he said, adding he admired Mr. Horgan's style and content in leadership debates. "I would like people to listen to John in the time left in the leadership race."

Mr. Simons - who barely registered in polling and candidly declared: "I don't have the numbers to probably get very far with the balloting - said Mr. Horgan best reflects his values.

He said he made his decision without entreaties from the other candidates. "It was a decision I came to on my own," he said.

Earlier in the race, Mr. Lali dropped out and backed Mr. Horgan.

Mr. Simons said he was hard-pressed to calculate the specific support that might go Mr. Horgan's way. "People will look at this perhaps, and analyze what the possible outcome will be and maybe give consideration to the person I think is the best man for the job," he said.

But Mr. Horgan, also lagging in polls measuring public and party support for the candidates, said he will capitalize on Mr. Simons backing with further announcements he declined to characterize.

"[Undecided voters]will be looking a second time or a third time [at me]" the MLA for Juan de Fuca told reporters. "Nick's backing me speaks to those members, who have been wondering where they should go. They're going to take another look at Horgan."

Of Mr. Simons, Mr. Horgan said: "I am delighted with Nick's decision. His contribution during this campaign has been exemplary. He has been focusing on children's issues. He has been focusing on poverty issues and ensuring they are front and centre in our debate."

The remaining candidates in the race are Mr. Horgan and fellow MLAs Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth - the latter two seen as the front-runners - as well as pot activist Dana Larsen. A spokesman for Mr. Larsen said he won't be bailing. "Dana is staying in until the 17th. He looks forward to becoming leader of the BC NDP," said Jacob Hunter.

Mr. Dix has been suggesting the NDP needs to go to the left to find support, while Mr. Farnworth has suggested the centre offers rewards for the New Democrats, who are seeking to win an election that could come as soon as this fall.

But Mr. Simons said he would not necessarily characterize Mr. Horgan as going in either direction.

"He says it like it is. He will have opinions that probably range throughout that vista of left-right," he said.

Mr. Horgan echoed that point. "I've been saying from the beginning of this campaign that British Columbia is full of New Democrats. They just don't know it yet. And rather than moving to the middle, my position is the middle should be moving to us."