There are just three names in the running so far in Chilliwack-Hope for the Sept. 20 federal election.
The election was called Aug. 15.
Mark Strahl is the current MP for the riding and will be running again for the Conservative Party of Canada.
Rob Bogunovic will once again be running under Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada. And DJ Pohl will be the candidate for the NDP.
Strahl confirmed his intention to run again on Aug. 13.
“I am honoured to be the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Chilliwack—Hope,” he said on his website (markstrahl.ca). “It’s truly a privilege to represent the good people of Chilliwack—Hope in Ottawa.”
Pohl is a “community leader and lifelong advocate for justice, fairness, and equality” with a “bold voice,” committed to making life “more affordable for everyday people,” according to her online bio (facebook.com/DJPohlNDP).
“DJ is ready to fight for people in Chilliwack-Hope as the Member of Parliament.”
On Thursday, Aug. 5 she hosted a “Meet the Candidate” event over Zoom. She’s been a resident of Chilliwack for more than 30 years and is involved in communities across the Fraser Valley.
“Passionate about climate change, criminal justice, and democracy, she has experience speaking truth to power and has effected change locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally,” the Pohl bio states.
Bogunovic’s biography is also available online (fraservalleyppc.ca). He was born in Chilliwack, and loves debating. He teaches at Chilliwack secondary school, and is active in the church community. He also has sponsored a number of student clubs at CSS, including Christian Students United, the Diversity Alliance (proinclusion/anti-bullying), and a games club.
He ran against Strahl in 2019, earning 3.3 per cent of the total votes. Strahl won with 49.6 per cent of the vote. Kelly Velonis ran under the Liberal banner and earned 20.2 per cent of the vote. Heather McQuillan, NDP, earned 16.7 per cent of the vote. Arthur Green ran for the Green Party and earned 9.8 per cent of the vote.
Daniel Lamache with the Christian Heritage Party and Dorothy-Jean O’Donnell both earned less than one per cent. O’Donnell, who resided in Hope, has since passed away.
The deadline for candidate nominations is Aug. 30 at 2 p.m.
READ MORE: Candidate chosen for People’s Party of Canada in Chilliwack-Hope
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