Unattached north shore MLA candidate touts dozens of endorsements, says independents could hold new balance of power

West Vancouver independent candidate and sitting BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick says she’s secured the endorsement of nearly 30 elected officials and community leaders on the North Shore.

There are more independent candidates on the ballot than any other vote in B.C.’s history, and they could hold the balance of power in a close race on Saturday.

In a release Wednesday, Kirkpatrick announced her backers: a list of 15 current and former elected officials and 13 community leaders and public figures.

That list includes:

• Ralph Sultan — Former MLA, West Vancouver-Capilano
• Jordan Sturdy — MLA, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky
• Jonathan Wilkinson — MP, North Vancouver
• Don Bell — Councillor, City of North Vancouver / Former MP, North Vancouver
• Holly Back — Councillor, City of North Vancouver
• Herman Mah — Councillor, District of North Vancouver
• Naomi Yamamoto — Former MLA, North Vancouver-Lonsdale
• Katherine Whittred — Former MLA, North Vancouver-Lonsdale
• Mary-Ann Booth —- Former Mayor, West Vancouver
• Ron Wood — Former Mayor, West Vancouver
• Craig Cameron — Former Councillor, West Vancouver
• Shannon Walker — Former Councillor, West Vancouver
• Rod Day — Former Councillor, West Vancouver
• Barry Forward — Former Trustee, North Vancouver School District
• Coral Winfield — Former Trustee, West Vancouver School District
• ‘Lyn Anglin — Former President, Geosciences BC & 2020 BC Liberal Candidate
• Kevin Evans — Veteran Broadcaster & Former BC Crown Corp. CEO
• Nancy Farran — Chair, Hollyburn Community Services & Past Chair, West Vancouver Community Foundation
• Nancy Kirkpatrick — Former Director, MONOVA: Museum & Archives of North Vancouver
• Angela Lang — Business Owner
• Doug Macauley — Director, West Vancouver Youth Band
• Pamela Martin — Veteran Broadcaster
• Keith McBain — Former President, West Vancouver-Capilano BC Liberal Riding Association
• Jack McGee — Past President, BC Justice Institute & Retired Colonel, Canadian Armed Forces
• Stephen Price — North Shore teacher, Former Vice President, West Vancouver Teachers Assoc.
• Dr. Yashar Tashakkor, MD — Internal Medicine & Obesity Specialist
• Michele Tung — CEO & West Vancouver resident
• John Whyte — Lawyer & Community Leader

While she’d originally planned to hang up her hat after the last term in the legislature, Kirkpatrick says the implosion of BC United prompted her to re-enter the race.

“Something was done by this province by the BC United and BC Conservatives to try and tell us who we are supposed to be voting for. And taking away, and disenfranchising the voting right and ability for many moderate people,” said Kirkpatrick at a media event in West Vancouver Wednesday.

She says while the election is a two-horse race right now, it doesn’t have to be.

Kirkpatrick one of five sitting United MLAs running as independents. Her colleague Mike Bernier tells 1130 NewsRadio that independents who win their ridings could make the difference in the legislature, the way the BC Green Party did in 2017, when they formed a coalition with the NDP to bring them to power.

Advance voting continues until 8 p.m. Wednesday. The final election day is Oct. 19.