| Times Colonist |
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Shifts in the political landscape have prompted vineyard owner Lana Popham to abandon the upcoming municipal election and take a shot at provincial office.
Popham said yesterday she has withdrawn from running for Saanich council to seek the New Democrat nomination in Saanich South for the B.C. election next year.
That nomination is up for grabs now that the sitting New Democrat MLA David Cubberly has announced he will be stepping down after one term. Party rules adopted in 2007 dictate Cubberly's replacement must be a woman candidate. In any riding held by the NDP, if the current MLA decides not to run, a woman must be nominated. The aim is to ensure women run where there is a real chance of winning, in a plan to push female and minority candidates into more ridings.
Popham said she decided to seek the provincial nomination because she had worked with Cubberly on issues of agriculture, food security and recycling. "I would like to carry on with that work."
The 39-year-old operator of the organic Barking Dog Vineyard said she also sees lots of room for MLAs interested in food production.
Popham pointed out the house is losing not only Cubberly, but also stepping down is Nelson MLA Corky Evans, who always paid attention to farm issues.
