Nathan Cullen's decision not to run for for leader of the B.C. NDP likely means there won't be a northern voice in the race for provincial Opposition Leader.
The MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley had been mulling a possible jump to provincial politics since current NDP leader Adrian Dix announced his intention to resign two months ago, but on Friday Cullen ruled out that possibility and instead focus on his job as the federal NDP's House Leader in Ottawa.
Sherry Ogasawara, who ran for the NDP in Prince George-Valemount in May's provincial election and sits on the party's provincial council, said she would have endorsed Cullen had he decided to make a run.
"I had a bit of mixed emotions. I would have liked to see Nathan throw his hat into the race and pursue," she said after reflecting on the news over the weekend. "But I realize listening to what he had to say and how he came to the decision, I'm sure it was a lot of reflection both personally and professionally."
Cullen has been a strong advocate for responsible resource development in the north and given the major role the region's resource boom is expected to continue to play in the provincial economy, Ogasawara said his voice in the leadership race would have added value.
"When you think about all the issues with First Nations and issues around the environment and looking at economic development, those are all really strong points in Nathan's portfolio," she said. "I do think that we have other strong potential candidates."
Under Dix the NDP were unable to grow their support and they lost a fourth straight election to the Liberals. So far no candidates have officially entered the race, but Dix has said that's not a surprise because the rules surrounding the contest and the date a new leader will be picked haven't been agreed upon yet.
Among the names that have surfaced are veteran MLA Mike Farnworth and rookie MLA David Eby.
Cullen is second high profile potential candidate to take a pass at running for the job. Vancouver Island MLA John Horgan announced last month he won't be making another run at leadership.
Ogasawara isn't worried about the perception created by two highly touted contenders bowing out.
"There are other names that have been bandied about, so that's not a concern," Ogasawara said.
Leadership speculation could go into overdrive this weekend as the NDP meets for a policy convention in Vancouver. Among the items on the table will be the election of a new party executive and the release of an internal party investigation into what went wrong in the spring.
"I think there's going to be a lot of excitement that's going to generated by having folks come together," Ogasawara said. "There's going to lots of lively discussion and lots of debate.
The convention delegates will likely spend some time talking about when they'll reconvene for a party leadership vote, but Ogasawara said they may not set a date this weekend. Currently the party is divided between those who want to pick their new leader in the spring and those who want to wait until next fall, or later.
The timing of the vote was a major issue for Cullen, who feared he wouldn't be able to successfully organize a run if party members were asked to vote in the spring. Ogasawara is also in the camp that wants to delay the vote at least until next fall in order to allow for a wide a field of contenders as possible.
"I think that it's wise to wait," she said. "I think going too early poses a deterrent to encouraging potential external candidates, who may not have anything to do with the party right now."
