Paul Forseth is throwing his hat into the ring as a candidate for party president of the B.C. Conservatives at their Sept. 22 meeting in Langley.
Photograph by: Larry Wright file photo , THE RECORD
Former New Westminster MP Paul Forseth is throwing his hat into the provincial political ring in a big way.
Forseth announced on Twitter Thursday that he will be running for the party president job for the B.C. Conservatives at its Sept. 22 meeting in Langley.
Forseth expects a fight for the job, as other candidates will also be looking to succeed Reed Elley.
"I worked alongside Reed when we were both federal MPs," Forseth told The Record on Thursday afternoon. "When I found out he wasn't running (again), I thought I could offer up my service."
Forseth still plans to run for the Conservatives in New Westminster in next May's provincial election and he said party rules do not preclude him from doing both jobs if he's successful on both counts.
Forseth also said he's fully supportive of Conservative leader John Cummins, despite other media reports that Cummins and the lone Conservative MP, John van Dongen, may be experiencing philosophical differences.
"I have no knowledge of any difference of opinion between them," said Forseth.
As for throwing his hat into the ring for party president, Forseth said he expects a tough fight.
"I believe at least two other people will put themselves up as candidates," said Forseth. "I'm expecting some competition, but I'm just putting myself up as an option."
Forseth served federally from 1993 to 2006.
