Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu has withdrawn from the B.C. Conservative leadership race and announced his endorsement of candidate Caroline Elliott.
In a social media post on Monday (March 16), Bhangu said he is supporting Elliott, a political commentator and former B.C. United vice-president based in North Vancouver.
“She shares our values, she can unite Conservatives, and she’s the only candidate who can defeat David Eby and the NPD,” he said.
Elliott declared her candidacy on Jan. 16, criticizing the current government’s “radical reconciliation” agenda and attacking “race-based hiring policies.”
Bhangu, who worked in the trucking industry, was first elected in the 2024 provincial election, defeating longtime politician John Aldag.
Bhangu announced in mid-February that he was joining the Conservative leadership race.
He was one of two local MLAs who had put their names forward; the other was Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman.
Banman announced on Sunday (March 15) that he was withdrawing from the leadership race and endorsing candidate Yuri Fulmer.
The party has been led by interim leader Trevor Halford (Surrey-White Rock MLA) since John Rustad resigned on Dec. 4 following a dramatic confrontation with his own MLAs. Out of the 39 caucus members, 20 had called for him to step down.
To date, a total of seven people are in the running for the Conservative Party leadership.
In addition to Elliott and Fulmer, they are: Iain Black (former Port Moody-Westwood and Port-Moody Coquitlam MLA), Kerry-Lynne Findlay (former South Surrey-White Rock MP), Warren Hamm (businessman and political advocate), Darrell Jones (former president of the Pattison Food Group) and Peter Milobar (Kamloops Centre MLA).
The voting period begins on May 9, leading up to the final announcement on May 30.
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