The starting pistol has yet to be fired for the Vancouver-Quadra federal Conservative nomination race. But some party members are wondering whether University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business law division lecturer Deborah Meredith will actually make it to the finish line - suggesting she could drop out in favour of former BC Cancer Foundation president and chief executive officer Mary McNeil. But, when asked today if she'd given any thought to dropping out, Ms. Meredith said, "No." And she also said no one had approached her about taking her name off the ballot. Meanwhile, on Friday, former Richmond nomination candidate Howard Jampolsky announced he has decided against putting his name on that ballot. The following is a complete copy of that announcement.
Howard Jampolsky
5531 Cantrell Rd • Richmond, BC V7C 3H3
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 17, 2007
HOWARD JAMPOLSKY DECLINES OFFER TO
RUN IN VANCOUVER-QUADRA BY-ELECTION
RICHMOND - Howard Jampolsky announced today that he will not seek the Conservative Party nomination in Vancouver-Quadra for the upcoming by-election.
Following the Richmond nomination in which he finished second, Jampolsky was approached by several Conservative Party and Jewish community leaders in Vancouver urging him seek the Vancouver-Quadra nomination.
"It is a great honour to be asked to run, and I want to publicly thank those who approached me, those who offered their time as campaign volunteers, and those who pledged funds," Jampolsky stated.
Jampolsky stated he believes both of the current nominees would make outstanding candidates and MP's, and pledges his full support to the successful nominee, but added he does not believe it is appropriate to interfere with the internal democratic process of another riding by endorsing either nominee during the nomination period.
In declining to run, Jampolsky stated that he is dedicated to Richmond - the city of his residence - and will continue his work to improve his community in the areas of public safety, better integration of the Vancouver International Airport into the community, as well as continuing his work as a Council appointee to the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee.
Earlier this year, Jampolsky was successful in lobbying the City of Richmond for the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (devices used to restore proper heart rhythm during cardiac arrest) in Richmond's two ice arenas. He has also been working with YVR, Nav-Canada, and several airline operators in trying to find ways to reduce excessive noise from certain aspects of airport operations.
Wow, prospective candidates being asked to drop out of a nomination race to make room for a star candidate. This is almost like a Liberal race. Shades of Wendy Yuan/David Emerson in 2004
The funny thing is that the Conservatives actually think that quadra is in play. They should be using their resources to shore up support in the interior where voter backlash is inevitible.
Howard lost in one race where his odds should have been the best. Why would he run in a race where his odds are much, much longer?
Why waste his resources on this race?
"The funny thing is that the Conservatives actually think that quadra is in play. They should be using their resources to shore up support in the interior where voter backlash is inevitible."
So from this we gather that the Conservatives shouldn't run a candidate simply because it is perceived to be "owned" by the Liberals?
Get real.
Maybe the Liberals would take their own heed and
not run candidates in Vancouver East and in the Fraser Valley?
Every riding is in play. Every riding.