A week before election day saw the field of candidates vying for a position on School District 57's board of trustees narrow.
Candidate Kris Benson withdrew from the race Saturday after accepting a new career opportunity in Edmonton.
"It was very last minute. I totally wasn't expecting anything to come through this quickly and was hoping to be able to base my decision on whether I was elected or not, but when it came to how rushed they were to hire someone and to make the decision, it panned out that way," Benson said. "Had I been elected, I would have declined the position in Alberta."
Benson, who was born and raised in Prince George, said he saw a lot of opportunity for change within SD 57, having observed the district's challenges which he saw as a result of poor financial management practices.
"The reason I was interested in running for school board here in Prince George was because some drastic changes are needed and I see myself as someone who could make those happen and that certainly was my main motivation for running," Benson told The Citizen, en route to go house hunting in Edmonton. He and his family will likely make the move in early December and he wishes his fellow candidates all the best of success.
"It was one of those things, where I wish I didn't have to do it, but it's just how things pan out," Benson said. "I'd love to be able to do both, but the law doesn't allow it."
According to SD 57 chief electoral officer Fred McLeod, Benson's name will remain on the ballot, as they have already been printed and advance polling has already begun.
"Because of the timing, we need to have approval from the Ministry of Education for Kris' name to be withdrawn," said McLeod, who will be submitting Benson's withdrawal as well as an explanation of the circumstances in hopes of having any votes cast for him nullified.
McLeod is unable to post any signage to remind voters not to vote for Benson at the polling stations without ministry approval as well.
"If I don't get approval, and he is elected to one of the positions, it would push us into a by-election," McLeod explained.
Earlier in the election process, the CEO had to appeal to the ministry to deal with the withdrawal of candidate Chris Taylor. MacLeod said it took more than week for that to come through.
"I'm hoping it will be expedited," he said.
At this point, Benson said he is unsure whether or not he will seek any sort of office in Edmonton. "What I saw in School District 57 was a lot of opportunity for change. I don't know Edmonton's situation when it comes to that. So it really depends on whether I'm needed there or not. At this point, I have no idea of the political climate or the school climate there so either option isn't one I'm necessarily seeking at this point," Benson said.
