New riding up for grabs

There are four candidates vying to be an MLA in the Central Okanagan's newest riding, Kelowna Centre.

The riding, which is parts of the previous riding Kelowna West, Kelowna-Mission and Kelowna-Lake Country, was created in recent years when the region's growing population dictated change.

Running for the NDP is Loyal Wooldridge, the Conservative candidate is Kristina Loewen, the Green Party has Bryce Tippe and Dr. Michael Humer is running as an independent.

This story will be updated with results as they come in.

Loyal Wooldridge

For the past six years, Loyal Wooldridge has occupied a seat on Kelowna city council.

He hopes to take that knowledge and experience to Victoria as the first ever NDP MLA from the City of Kelowna.

“I’ve been doing the work on council the last two terms with the intention to eventually run provincially, to really understand our city from a grass roots level,” Wooldridge told Castanet News during a one-on-one interview.

“I know our challenges, but I also know the solutions to overcome them. And, regardless of party, it’s about choosing the person that knows our city best, that lives here, that does the work and can get to work on day one to advocate for Kelowna.”

Dr. Michael Humer

In 1995, Dr. Michael Humer interviewed for his first job to be a thoracic surgeon in Prince George. Now, nearly 30 years later, he is interviewing for a new job with a new career path, MLA for Kelowna Centre.

Once the candidate for the BC United party, he is now running as an independent.

“This new job interview…wow democracy has been fascinating,” Humer told Castanet News during a one-on-one interview.

“I retired after 28 years of thoracic surgery a year ago and specifically I retired from chief of surgery (at KGH) to address health care, to look at getting better health care in British Columbia and running in the new Kelowna Centre riding.

“So, here we are as I continue as an unaffiliated independent candidate trying to make sure everyone has a voice and everyone has someone to vote for.”

Bryce Tippe

Bryce Tippe touts himself as a different kind of politician.

Entering the political arena for the first time as the Green Party candidate in the new Kelowna Centre riding, Tippe says people shouldn’t make assumptions about him based on his party affiliation.

“I think my biggest challenge when I talk to the constituents is assuring them that I’m not just caring about climate and can also prioritize other things,” said Tippe during a one-on-one interview with Castanet News.

“I am not an ideologue motivated by some arbitrary ideology. I am a serious person who has a lot of great ideas for British Columbia policy-wise, and I would love to be able to be given the chance to apply that.”

Kristina Loewen

Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen is a local real estate agent. She declined an opportunity to speak with Castanet.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce held a candidates forum where three of the four candidates spoke about a wide variety of issues, although Loewen did not attend.