The B.C. NDP candidate who came close to defeating Premier Christy Clark in her successful by-election bid for a seat in the legislature has been acclaimed to run against her in the May 2013 election.
"In many ways, the campaign began today," lawyer David Eby, the high-profile former executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said in an interview on Friday.
"People will have a chance to kick my tires to consider me as a representative."
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Mr. Eby, who has moved into the riding since the by-election in May 2011, was uncontested as the NDP candidate in Vancouver-Point Grey when the deadline for filing to run arrived Thursday afternoon.
After Ms. Clark won the B.C. Liberal leadership in early 2011, she sought a seat in Vancouver-Point Grey, the riding of her predecessor as premier, Gordon Campbell.
Ms. Clark won the riding by 595 votes over Mr. Eby, who is taking a lower-profile role in the civil liberties organization as the election looms.
Mr. Eby said that while he was campaigning in the by-election, some voters told him they wanted to give Ms. Clark a chance to govern, but that some voters have since been unimpressed with her handling of various files including the Gateway energy project.
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Various polls also suggest the B.C. New Democrats are running far ahead of the Liberals in voter support.