The race for an NDP candidate in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain already featured a rocker and former politician - and now it includes a wrestler.

Former world champion and Olympic wrestler Chris Wilson has put his name forward as an NDP candidate in the riding.

The executive director for KidSport Tri-Cities said he's always been interested in making a difference in the community.

Wilson said he originally considered running in the next municipal election, but realized the issues he is most passionate about are out of the scope of municipal politics.

"I think for me I have the most to offer on a provincial level rather than on a community level," he said.

And Wilson noted some of those issues include supporting the needs of families, education and keeping up with increasing costs in the education system and working with the federal government to narrow the income gap.

"We just need to work a little harder on helping people in our society that need it," he said.

Wilson joins punk rocker turned political hopeful Joe Keithley from DOA and former Coquitlam mayoral candidate and councillor Barrie Lynch as the three candidates so far interested in the spot.

Keithley ended months of speculation in August after he told The NOW his nomination papers had been approved by the party for the riding, while Lynch filed his papers just last week.

Liberal MLA Doug Horne currently holds the riding.

Wilson, who lives in Coquitlam but not in the riding, said he would have preferred to run in CoquitlamMaillardville, but the NDP's gender policy has made it impossible.

However, he said he's spent a lot of time in the riding both working and volunteering, and knows the area well.

It could be some months before the candidates face a vote.

The Coquitlam-Burke Mountain NDP Constituency Association doesn't have a date set for a nomination meeting.

The president of the association previously stated a meeting isn't expected until late fall or even next year.

But it won't be the only riding in the Tri-Cities looking for an NDP candidate.

On Monday, CoquitlamMaillardville MLA Diane Thorne announced she wouldn't be running again in the next provincial election, meaning a new candidate will also be picked for that riding.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com