Abbotsford/Victoria (with files from Canadian Press)- Thing just became a little more interesting in Valley Politics.
In an announcement Wednesday, longtime Abbotsford West representative Mike De Jong explained that while he will be serving out his term provincially, he is not ruling out a move to run with the Federal Conservatives.
De Jong called a possible moving a “tempting” opportunity, after serving as an MLA for 30 years.
“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 explained if he did run for the Conservatives, it would be for a federal riding in Abbotsford.
He was first elected with the BC Liberals in 1994 and currently serves as the Shadow Minister for the Attorney General under the BC United banner. De Jong is the longest-serving MLA currently in the Legislature. He has also served as Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services, and Minister of Forests. In addition, he also served as Government House Leader.
De Jong is now the 11th BC United MLA to announce he will not seek re-election for that party.
This on the heels of Abbotsford School Board Chair Korky Neufeld declaring he will run for the BC Conservatives in Abbotsford West and try to replace De Jong.
BC United’s Bruce Banman will run for re-election in Abbotsford South.
