B.C. election: Furstenau loses riding but Greens leading in 2 seats

Furstenau's loss puts the Greens in a tough position: potentially holding the balance of power in the legislature but having to choose a new leader between a pair of newcomers.

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau lost her race for re-election in Saturday’s B.C. election — but her party appears set to retain official party status by electing two candidates.

Furstenau was competing in her new riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill against incumbent NDP candidate Grace Lore, who served as minister of children and family development in the last provincial cabinet.

Although she led early in the night, Furstenau ultimately lost to Gore by 13 points.

“The challenge was a little bit more than we could do,” Furstenau told her supporters at the Greens’ campaign headquarters in Victoria after the result was declared.

The riding has long been an NDP stronghold on Vancouver Island — making Furstenau’s decision to compete there after representing Cowichan Valley for seven years a political gamble, and one of the must-watch races of the election.

Her loss puts the Greens in a tough position: potentially holding the balance of power in the legislature but having to quickly choose a new leader between a pair of newcomers.

Rob Botterell was narrowly leading over the NDP in the only other riding previously held by the Greens, Saanich North and the Islands, which was previously represented by interim party leader Adam Olsen. Olsen chose to not run for re-election this year.

And Jeremy Valeriote appeared to finally break through in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky after finishing a close second in the 2020 election. Valeriote was leading by less than three points ahead of BC Conservative candidate Yuri Fulmer.