As the provincial election year begins, the BC Green Party leader, Sonia Furstenau, has announced she will be running in the Victoria-Beacon Hill electoral district.
She says that this is a return to her roots as well as a step forward in her political career.
“After a lot of reflection, I have made the decision that I will run in Victoria-Beacon Hill in the upcoming election,” said Furstenau.
“This is a decision that I do not take lightly, but it is the right decision for me and my family, as we have begun the process of relocating back to Victoria.”
“Victoria is not just a geographical location for me; it’s where my story began, where my grandparents met at the historic Craigdarroch Castle, where my parents met, and where my brother and sister were born. It’s where I spent two formative decades of my life, attending university, raising my first son, and building community in a city that I love,” she continued.
Previously, Furstenau had run in the Cowichan Valley riding and was successfully elected as the area’s MLA in 2017 and again reelected in 2020.
She says that she and her husband only initially planned on living in Shawnigan for one year back in 2011, but she is glad she stayed and is now looking forward to returning to Victoria after achieving several goals in the Cowichan community.
“It has been an honour to serve the people of Cowichan, but my family and I have realized it’s time for us to return to Victoria, as our children embark on the next chapters of their lives,” said Furstenau.
“Our roots in Victoria run deep, and it’s here that I wish to continue my political journey, representing and giving back to the community that nurtured me.”
She will be running against BC NDP MLA, Grace Lore as well as the newly named BC United’s Karen Bill and an independent who ran in the district unsuccessfully in both 2017 and 2020, Jordan Reichert.
The riding has historically always been held by the BC NDPs aside from a brief stint between 2001 and 2005 where the BC Liberals won the seat.
The election will be held in October of this year.
