Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok announced on Thursday, Dec. 2, that he has stepped down as BC Liberal Caucus whip, and that he is now endorsing Kevin Falcon to be the next BC Liberal leader.

鈥淲e need a leader that has the knowledge, experience, and ability to unite us as a Party while taking the right steps to win new supporters,鈥� said Clovechok. 鈥淜evin will fight for rural B.C. 鈥� ensuring rural communities have strong economies and proper representation in the legislature.鈥�

READ MORE:

Clovechok cited Falcon鈥檚 鈥渁bility to appeal to voters in both rural and urban regions鈥� as his primary motivation for backing Falcon.

Falcon previously served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Health and Minister of Transportation.

鈥淚n order to win the next election, our Party needs to be a big tent, welcoming voters from a diverse set of backgrounds and regions,鈥� Clovechok said. 鈥淭he only candidate that can achieve that and defeat the NDP in 2024 is Kevin Falcon.鈥�

Clovechok is now one of four BC Liberal MLAs to endorse Falcon over the past week, following announcements from Coralee Oakes, Lorne Doerkson and Greg Kyllo.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to have Doug鈥檚 support,鈥� Falcon said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a hardworking MLA and will be an important member of our team as we move forward.鈥�

However, this comes shortly after Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka鈥檚 Nov. 8 announcement of his backing of Ellis Ross for B.C. Liberal Party Leadership.

READ MORE:

The B.C. Liberals will vote for their new leader between February 3 and 5, 2022.