Joe Keithley, left, Barrie Lynch, Chris Wilson and Vincent Wu want to run for the NDP in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain.
Photograph by: NOW , file photos
With just days remaining before a crucial vote, NDP hopefuls seeking the party nomination in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain are playing the name game.
KidSport Tri-Cities chair Chris Wilson released his list of endorsements early Tuesday, a group that includes New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly, Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth and a host of councillors from across the Tri-Cities.
"Wilson is the right choice for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain," Farnworth said in a press release. "I'm confident with Chris Wilson as our candidate, we can bring change to Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. Chris is deeply rooted and engaged in our community. He's exactly the type of person we need as part of a new NDP government."
Also lending their support to the Wilson camp are Port Coquitlam Couns. Brad West and Glenn Pollock, Port Moody Coun. Bob Elliott and Coquitlam Couns. Neal Nicholson and Selina Robinson.
Both Nicholson and Robinson supported Barrie Lynch, who's also vying for the nomination, when he ran for the mayor's seat in the 2011 municipal election.
"Of all the candidates, Chris was the only one who asked for my support," Robinson said in an interview Tuesday. "I also happen to think he's the best candidate. That is why I've endorsed him."
Joe Keithley has also amassed a lengthy list of supporters. The outgoing member of the punk band D.O.A. has enlisted former NDP cabinet minister Bob Williams, Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, Burnaby Coun. Nick Volkow, Coquitlam Adanacs general manager Randy Delmonico and author/ filmmaker Joel Bakan.
"I've gotten a lot of support from people all over the province and across the country because they think I will give a really fresh perspective to what's going on, combined with my business acumen," Keithley told The NOW Tuesday. "One of the things that we have to dispel with the NDP is that we don't understand business. We do understand business."
Vincent Wu would not disclose his list of endorsees when contacted by The NOW.
"Many of my supporters tend to stay neutral, so I don't want to say," said Wu, who's lived in Coquitlam for 15 years and works as a freelance writer.
"But I've been working hard."
Lynch did not respond to an interview request prior to NOW deadline.
Sunday's nomination meeting gets underway at 1 p.m. at Nestor Elementary, located at 1266 Nestor St. in Coquitlam.
