Bachrach makes his bid! Smithers Mayor announces run for NDP nomination in Skeena-Bulkley Valley

The race to take up the NDP torch from Nathan Cullen now has one confirmed candidate, with Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach making the announcement of his intention to seek the nomination by way of Wednesday evening Facebook and twitter  posts.



As he rolled out his announcement Bachrach made note of three core values for his process, the first being the power of place and how he believes that when big decisions are required that affect the region it's the voices of the people who live here that should be heard most loudly.

His second value is a concern for future generations and the desire to have our kids to be able to enjoy what we've enjoyed in the Northwest.

The third value put the focus on the state of politics which he believes is one of division and contempt and how there is a need to show respect for each other regardless of our differences and regardless of whether we agree, and especially when we disagree.

The nomination process for the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding began earlier this month with the announcement from fifteen year incumbent Nathan Cullen that he would be stepping aside from the federal scene at the end of this current parliament, prior to the Fall election.

Since then there have been a number of names floated around the Northwest as potential candidates, but so far Mr. Bachrach is the only one to make the leap towards the federal scene.

Should he prove successful, he will  secure the fifteen year hold that the Bulkley Valley has had in the riding, set to continue the work of Mr. Cullen if he finds success in the October vote.

There was no indication from the launch as to what kind of a travel schedule that candidate Bachrach may be preparing to take on, with NDP members on the North Coast no doubt interested in having him make the trip to Prince Rupert to see what he will have to say and how much of an understanding he may have of North coast issues.

NDP officials in Skeena-Bulkley Valley announced Thursday that the candidate selection meeting will take place May 25th in Terrace, with voting details still to be determined for those that cannot make it to Terrace for the May event.

As they work towards the announcement as to who will represent the party this fall we will track the developments in the nomination process here.


More notes on Federal politics in Skeena-Bulkley Valley can be explored here.