As we get ready for election day on May 9th I can’t help but comment on the excellent choices that three Nelson-Creston women have given us this time around. Voters truly do have the option of supporting a strong candidate for each of the three major parties (I don’t apologize for not acknowledging the independent candidates, none of whom acknowledge that the Creston Valley exists, judging by my email inbox).
I am less enthusiastic about the parties’ leadership, with Christy Clark and John Horgan leaving me cold and Andrew Weaver showing some peculiar gaps in judgment, possibly from his lack of political experience but more likely coming from his background as an academic, where he clearly excelled. He can get a bit pedantic, but he’s earned the right, hasn’t he?
I have been surprised to hear some long-time NDP supporters commenting that the Greens aren’t as left-leaning as their name implies. Come on, folks, where have you been lately? The Greens’ policies aren’t that hard to find, and they have always been pretty conservative on the economic front.
I have been pleased with the way Tanya Wall has conducted her campaign, and not just because I know her better than her opponents. She has clearly been willing to do her homework, and can speak with knowledge and thoughtfulness on just about any subject that has arisen in this election. Wall was, without question, a very good Creston town councillor who went on to become a very, very good RDCK director. She’s energetic and positive, and she has proven to be an exceptionally good listener, which scores very high points from my perspective.
Michelle Mungall has worked hard to represent all areas of Nelson-Creston, but it is a daunting task. The constituency is large and diverse, and what looks in Nelson like she is busting her butt can look in Creston like she’s doing nothing. Some local organizations, like the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors, will attest to her commitment and effectiveness, I’m sure. But she obviously hasn’t the ear of the governing Liberals, and I know there are those who would prefer to have an MLA who sits on the government side of the legislature, something we haven’t had since Blair Suffredine succeeded Corky Evans as our MLA.
Of the three major candidates, I know the least about Kim Charlesworth, but I have very much enjoyed our chats since she was nominated as the Green candidate. Since finding what she describes as “my tribe” after moving to the Kootenays, Charlesworth has been a great asset to the Nelson area community, and it isn’t difficult to see her expanding that role as an MLA. She is down to earth, realistic and very personable, and has a wide and varied background that would serve her well in provincial politics.
In my conversations with each of the candidates in the last few months there has been a common denominator. We all agree that polls have become meaningless, perhaps dangerously so, predictors of election outcomes, and it is a fool’s game to try to run a campaign that tries to respond to them. Instead, I think each of them is running the race as if they are behind, but within closing distance of the frontrunner.
Obviously, Mungall, had the edge at the outset because of her name recognition and two terms as the constituency’s representative. But do Nelson-Creston voters want to elect her for a third term if it means she will once again sit in opposition?
Wall, on the other hand, had a huge amount of ground to makeup after the Liberal candidate’s weak showing here in 2013. The relatively unknown Greg Garbula managed only 28 per cent of the votes, while the also relatively unknown Sjeng Derkx was named on more than a fifth of the ballots.
So one expects Wall to do well on this side of the Kootenay Pass, and Mungall to continue to have strong support in her hometown of Nelson, but it looks pretty evident that there is growing interest in the Greens. I don’t recall anywhere near the amount of Green signage in past elections, and visits by provincial leader Weaver and federal leader Elizabeth May are good indications that her party believes Charlesworth has a shot. If, of course, she erodes into Mungall’s support in the west part of the riding, Wall stands to benefit. But if the Green support in the Creston Valley comes from the Liberals, it will hurt Wall’s chances.
So my best guess is that we are in for a healthy three-way race, and I wouldn’t bet a nickel on the outcome. And, as I told Wall, Charlesworth and Mungall in emails last week, I think we are very lucky to have them all on our side.