Voters elect Liberal Ben Stewart as new MLA for Kelowna-West
Posted February 14, 2018 9:48 pm.
Last Updated February 14, 2018 11:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) – The new MLA for Kelowna West is no stranger to the job–Liberal Ben Stewart has regained the seat he gave up for former Premier Christy Clark.
Stewart has always been considered the front runner as the NDP have never been elected in that riding.
Elections BC reports Stewart has 56 per cent support. The longtime winery owner was first elected in 2013 when he stepped down, so Clark could have his seat.
“It’s good to go in with a certain degree of uncertainty,” Stewart told NEWS 1130.
Stewart, who made his living as the owner of a local winery, says a key issue for him now is Alberta’s boycott of BC wines prompted by BC’s ongoing efforts to stall the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion.
“The fact that there’s a trade war between BC and Alberta, I mean, it’s too bad that it’s come to this, but I think they’re really going down a path where they’ve isolated BC. Understand that even the Prime Minister’s office turned down meetings.”
Stewart’s main opponent, the NDP’s Shelley Cook was a distant second with 23 per cent support. She lost the general election last year to Clark. Robert Stupka of the BC Green Party was third with 12.5 per cent.
