Tories reject former B.C. cabinet minister Mike de Jong as federal election candidate
Mike de Jong, a veteran MLA in British Columbia, recently revealed that he has been rejected as a candidate by the federal Conservative Party for the upcoming election. This decision came as a surprise to de Jong, who expressed his disappointment in a statement shared on social media.
Having served as an MLA for over 30 years with the B.C. United party, formerly known as the B.C. Liberals, de Jong is a well-respected figure in the political arena. Throughout his career, he has held various ministerial positions, including minister of finance, minister of health, and attorney general, as well as government House leader.
In an interview with Gloria Macarenko on CBC’s On The Coast, de Jong shared his frustration at being informed of the rejection at the last minute. Volunteers had been diligently working on his campaign for more than a year, only to receive a brief email stating that his application had been declined and he was deemed unqualified.
Last April, de Jong had announced his intention to run as a candidate for the federal Conservative Party in Abbotsford-South Langley. He believed that his policy positions aligned well with those of the Tories and had garnered significant support from local constituents. However, the decision to reject his candidacy has left both him and his supporters feeling disheartened.
Despite reaching out to the Conservative Party for comment, CBC has not received a response at the time of reporting. The rejection of Mike de Jong as a candidate highlights the complexities and challenges faced by politicians in navigating party politics and the nomination process.
