After what has been a roller coaster of an election season, including one party imploding and the rise of a once-ousted MLA-turned-B.C. Conservative candidate Donegal Wilson was chosen to be the voice of Boundary-Similkameen.
This is her first provincial election.
This year, there were four candidates on the ballot in the riding of Boundary-Similkameen. The candidates were incumbent B.C. NDP Roly Russell, B.C. Conservative Donegal Wilson, Green Party Kevin Eastwood and Independent Sean Taylor.
24,193 votes were cast in the riding, including advance polling and out-of-district ballots. Wilson pulled ahead early in the race, quickly capturing 48.48 per cent of the votes for the riding, with NDP Incumbent Roly Russell receiving 42.45 per cent of the vote. BC Greens candidate Kevin Eastwood received 5.88 per cent of the vote, with Independent Sean Taylor getting 3.19 per cent.
Black Press Media reached out to all the candidates for comment. Wilson's campaign manager, Michael Elliot, provided a copy of her acceptance speech.
"First, I want to recognize my fellow candidates," she stated. "Running for office is no easy task, and I thank you for your dedication and the campaigns you ran. I know you all worked hard, and your families made sacrifices as well. To my friends, family, volunteers, and supporters – this victory belongs to all of you. I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m honoured to represent Boundary-Similkameen, and I’m ready to get to work in Victoria. We have real challenges ahead, but I’m excited to deliver on the promises we’ve made.
"To everyone who told me they feel unheard – I hear you. I will be your voice in Victoria. I’ll continue to listen, to meet with you, and to make sure the rural communities of Boundary-Similkameen are represented. This is just the beginning. Together, we will bring common sense back to BC and build a future that works for everyone.
"Thank you, everyone! Let’s get to work.”
Wilson later replied to a request for comment, stating she would likely be available for comment later in the week after she concludes a few meetings.
Roly Russell issued a statement shortly after conceding the race.
"We didn’t get the result we hoped for, but that doesn’t change our goal. Elections may come and go, but the work of building strong, caring communities doesn’t ever stop – I know so many people will continue to do just that, myself included," he said.
Neither Eastwood or Taylor replied by press time.
Since the 2020 election, the riding was represented by Russell, and previously the riding was held between 2013 and 2020 by BC Liberal Linda Larson.
In the 2020 election, Russell beat Larson's successor B.C. Liberal candidate Petra Veintimilla with 10,500 votes to 7,735. Also running in 2020 were Darryl Seres, the late and former president of B.C. Conservative Party, and Wexit party candidate Arlyn Grieg.
The early votes in the 2024 election amounted to 12,832 out of a total of 38,284 eligible voters.
The 2020 election saw 10,657 advance votes cast out of a total 21,063 votes, with 37,421 registered voters in the riding.
