The fifth vote was won by the former cabinet minister.
Kevin Falcon won the B.C. leadership race this evening. Over six other candidates, the Liberal leadership race was won on the fifth ballot.
Each of B.C. was involved in the selection process. Each of B.C.’s 87 ridings received 100 points. These points were then distributed according to each constituency’s share of the vote. Voters were asked how they ranked candidates.
Falcon scored 4,121 points, which is 47.37%. However, the official total was 47%.
Stan Sipos was last on the first ballot with 104.6 points (or 1.2%). He was forced to withdraw from the race. The ballots that ranked Stan Sipos second were then counted.
These were the results for the other candidates on the first ballot:
Ellis Ross, 26.7%
* Michael Lee, 10.3%
* Val Litwin at 5.8%
* Gavin Dew 5.4%;
* Renee Merrifield, 3.2%
The results of the second round were:
* Kevin Falcon, 47.6%
* Ellis Ross, 27.1%
* Michael Lee at 10.5%
* Val Litwin at 5.95%
* Gavin Dew 5.5%;
* Renee Merrifield, 3.3%
The results of the third round were:
* Kevin Falcon, 48.3%
* Ellis Ross at 28.66%
* Michael Lee, 10.8%
* Val Litwin, 6.16%;
* Gavin Dew with 6.1%
The results of the fourth round were:
* Kevin Falcon at 49.63%
Ellis Ross, 31.2%
* Michael Lee, 11.94%;
* Val Litwin at 7.21%
Litwin, who had caused controversy by stating that he wouldn’t be part of a Kevin Falcon party-led party in the last week, was then removed from the ballot.
After the fifth vote, the point share was:
* Kevin Falcon, 52.19%
* Ellis Ross, 33.65%
* Michael Lee, 14.14%.
The most experienced candidate was the former MLA for Surrey–Cloverdale, who had served in the legislature for almost 12 years, until April 2013.
Falcon served in various positions under former Premier Gordon Campbell’s administration, including five and a quarter years as minister for transportation. Falcon was minister of finance under former Premier Christy Clark and deputy premier.
Falcon’s campaign was not concerned about alleged irregularities in thousands new members.
Vikram Bajwa, a party member, filed a petition at BC Supreme Court asking for an order to force the party delay releasing tonight’s results. Justice Heather MacNaughton however ruled today that he hadn’t sufficiently proven his case.
BIV was informed by Katy Merrified who was the communications director for former Premier Christy Clark that she had interpreted MacNaughton’s ruling as a challenge of 11 hours that was “sour grapes.”
Merrifield claimed she was neutral throughout the campaign but ultimately decided to support Falcon.
She said that Falcon’s 47.37% support on the first ballot was a strong sign that the party was behind her. He needed four more ballots in order to cross the threshold of 50%. This was due to the way preferential-ballot system work, she explained. The system means that voters who drop off the ballot will have very few votes to redistribute.
Merrifield, who managed Andrew Wilkinson’s 2018 campaign as former Liberal leader, said that “the last leadership race we witnessed go to five ballots.” It’s indicative about the ballot system.
She stated that Falcon’s decision to move into the private sector after leaving politics makes him a better candidate with more depth.
Bill Tieleman, a political observer and NDP insider, told BIV that Falcon was yesterday’s man.
Tieleman stated, “It strikes me, that a leader in the BC Liberal Party, who was first elected 21 years ago, and talking renewal, and talking over the bad old NDP is out of touch.”
Tieleman praised Falcon as a clever political operative and a formidable opponent.
Tieleman stated that he didn’t believe the NDP should pop any champagne corks or feel overconfident. Kevin Falcon is a great campaigner. He’s drawn from his time in the private sector and has learned a lot. It’s a smart idea to get out of politics for a while, which I believe is a great idea for any politician in any party. And he shouldn’t be underestimated.
President of the Langley East riding group, Jordan Bateman, brushed aside Tieleman’s claims that Falcon is yesterday’s man.
He stated that Falcon was not yet 60 years of age, contrary to some power brokers in NDP’s government such as Premier John Horgan or Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.
Bateman was involved in Falcon’s leadership campaign 2011, when Falcon lost to Clark.
Bateman stated to BIV that he believes that he is a better candidate than he was eleven years ago.
“He’s smarter. He is more knowledgeable about private-sector issues and better understands the effects of government, both good and bad. He has a better understanding of housing and affordability, which are crucial to rebuilding the party’s urban areas. He’s going be a strong candidate.” *
