Sunday March 1, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 2:18 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Conservative Party of BC has confirmed there will be nine contestants for the leadership of the party.
Two of the contestants are currently MLAs.
The list of contestant names was announced in a news release on February 28 (nominations closed on February 15):
- Bruce Banman (MLA)
- Harman Bhangu
- Iain Black
- Caroline Elliott
- Kerry-Lynne Findlay
- Yuri Fulmer
- Warren Hamm
- Darrell Jones
- Peter Milobar (MLA)
Previously MLAs Sheldon Clare and Steve Kooner expressed interest in running.
Campaign scope:
All snine candidates at present are largely based in the Vancouver mainland area. None are from Greater Victoria or Vancouver Island.
Candidates (contestants) may spend up to $2 million on their campaign, according to party rules that were issued on January 16, 2026.
Leader announcement on May 30:
“On May 30, 2026, the Conservative Party of British Columbia will announce a new leader, following an election process where our members will make their voice heard. The new leader will be one who can unite our movement and defeat David Eby’s radical government.,” as stated on the BC Conservatives website.
“Conservatives believe government exists to serve the people, not activists or special interests. Our leadership process reflects that belief: open, democratic, and grounded in real world solutions, not ideological slogans,” the party’s website states. Meanwhile, the NDP might consider the business sector to be ‘special interest’ in a way that — at least in the past — has left some or many people behind.
Replacing Rustad:
This year’s leadership race is a process underway to replace former leader John Rustad.
The interim leader is MLA Trevor Halford.
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===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: BC CONSERVATIVES | BC ELECTION 2028