British Colombia New Democratic Party(NDP) leadership candidate, Dana Larsen, seen here during the NDP leadership debate in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, March 1, 2011.Rafal Gerszak for The Globe and Mail
Dana Larsen, a longshot for the leadership of the BC New Democrats, has given a partial endorsement to rival John Horgan.
Mr. Larsen, an advocate for the medical use of marijuana, is urging his supporters to make Mr. Horgan their second-ballot choice as the party chooses a new leader April 17. There are four candidates in the race. The others are MLAs Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth.
Mr. Larsen made the announcement Friday, a day after Mr. Horgan picked up the endorsement of leadership hopeful Nicholas Simons. Mr. Horgan said he would be rolling out a series of announcements to demonstrate he has the momentum to win the race.
Mr. Larsen ruled out dropping out of the race to back Mr. Horgan unequivocally, as two other leadership contenders - MLAs Harry Lali and Mr. Simons - have done.
"I think I need to be on that ballot. I am not in this race to drop out. I want to get to the end, and I think I would make a fine leader for our party, but I think it's appropriate that I tell my supporters who I am putting my second-ballot support to, and that's John Horgan," Mr. Larsen said in an interview.
He said he did not know how much support he had to throw to Mr. Horgan, MLA for Juan de Fuca. He said he was not courted by Mr. Horgan, but had been impressed by Mr. Horgan's "populist charisma" on the campaign trail, and that he thought Mr. Horgan could win elections.
Both candidates confirmed that there was no deal for Mr. Larsen's support. Mr. Horgan did not commit to endorse Mr. Larsen's views on medical-marijuana use.
"I am not supporting John because I think he's going to do something for me or my issue. I am supporting him because I think he's the best leader for our party," Mr. Larsen said.
Mr. Horgan said Mr. Larsen had an impressive depth of understanding on medicinal marijuana, and he would be talking further to him after April 17 to better understand the issue and would fit it into a platform if he could.
Mr. Horgan promised further announcements, but declined to be specific about their nature.
Ian Bailey