BC United MLA Mike de Jong to run for federal Conservative nomination

A familiar face in the B.C. legislature is wading into federal politics, with Mike de Jong announcing his bid for the Conservative nomination in the Fraser Valley.

De Jong, who’s currently the BC United MLA for Abbotsford West, announced Wednesday his bid in Abbotsford.

” With 30 years as MLA and experience in key roles, I’m ready to bring principled leadership to Ottawa,” he said in a social media post.

“Join me in supporting fiscal responsibility.”

In February, de Jong announced he would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming B.C. election. He said, however, that he would be serving out his provincial term.

At the time, he didn’t rule out a run with the federal Conservatives, describing the then-potential opportunity as “tempting.”

“As for considerations — I’m 60. The adventure of travel isn’t what it once was,” he said.

“There is an element of wanting to spend some more time at home and doing some different things. On the other hand, over the years here particularly in government, a lot of the issues we deal with have a national dimension to them. I will confess to having an interest in an opportunity to explore some of those issues.”

De Jong was first elected to the B.C. legislature in 1994. He is currently the shadow minister for attorney general. In his time in B.C. politics, he has served in many roles, including minister of finance, health, and the attorney general.

-With files from Cole Schisler and Charlie Carey