In yesterday's edition of the Oak Bay News, writer Thomas Winterhoff reported provincial New Democrat moderate leadership candidate Nils Jensen wouldn't be running for the party's nomination in Oak Bay-Gordon Head. Mr. Jensen cited family reasons for the decision saying, "I have things I've committed to in the community and I still have two boys at home." But those in the know say his decision might also have had something to do with party leader Carole James unwillingness to forcefully intervene in the nomination race.

Insiders had encouraged Ms. James to ask her friend Greater Victoria school trustee Charlie Beresford not to run against Mr. Jensen. After all, Ms. Beresford's long history in the party, and her control of the riding association executive, almost guaranteed her the nomination - even though Mr. Jensen, with his position and profile on Oak Bay council, is thought to be a more winnable election candidate.

No one seems sure whether a conversation between Ms. James and Ms. Beresford took place, although there are rumours words were exchanged. But in the end, Ms. Beresford - who ran in the last election and lost by 35 percentage points - ended up announcing she would be seeking the nomination. Earlier, Public Eye reported the party has been having trouble clearing a riding for Toronto Dominion Securities Inc. chief economist Paul Summerville to run in.