British Colombia NDP leadership candidate John Horgan, seen here during the NDP leadership debate in Vancouver, March 1, 2011.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail
John Horgan, the B.C. NDP opposition house leader and energy critic, appears poised to enter a race to lead the opposition party that has so far been short of candidates.
The Juan de Fuca MLA has scheduled an announcement regarding the leadership on Monday night in Langford, a community in his riding.
So far, only one candidate has entered the race to succeed Adrian Dix, who announced last fall he will leave once the party picks a new leader.
That first candidate was Mike Farnworth, a former B.C. NDP cabinet minister, who stepped forward after a succession of MPs and MLAs had ruled out leadership bids for the party, which suffered an unexpected defeat to the Liberals in the May, 2013 election.
Mr. Horgan had ruled out a bid, but later conceded that he was reconsidering due to calls for him to enter the race.
Mr. Farnworth placed second after Mr. Dix in the 2011 leadership race that elected Mr. Dix. Mr. Horgan, who was first elected in 2005, ranked third.
The next leader will be chosen September 28 this year after four days of voting. The announcement of the winner will be made in Vancouver.
Follow me on Twitter: @ianabailey
Ian Bailey