Local businessman T.J. Grewal will meet with supporters on Sunday evening to decide who they will endorse in the race to replace longtime Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris.
Grewal had sought the Tory nomination in the riding, but on Tuesday the party ruled it would not waive the rule requiring candidates to be card-carrying members for six months prior their nomination.
Grewal was a week short of being a member for six months on the party's deadline for nominations on Nov. 13. He had held a Conservative Party membership before and served on the local Electoral District Association in 2011 and 2012.
Grewal had appealed the party's decision, but his appeal was denied.
He and his campaign team had signed up approximately 1,500 supporters for party memberships, making Grewal's endorsement a significant prize for the three remaining nominees hoping to represent the party in the next election.
Prince George-based economist and energy consultant Nick Fedorkiw, outgoing Mayor Shari Green and local businessman Todd Doherty are still in the running for the Tory nomination.
Vanderhoof teacher Gerald Caron backed out in favour of running in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding.
Harris -who has successfully ran the riding for the Reform Party, Canadian Alliance and finally Conservative Party since 1993 -endorsed Doherty after announcing he will not seek reelection.
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