With Former Premier Christy Clark's announcement that she will resign as BC Liberal leader effective August 4th, the process for picking a new leader is just beginning. The party will have 30 days to set a date and rules for the leadership contest. I would presume with the incredibly volatile legislature the party will try and set a date for next spring. When Gordan Campbell resigned in November of 2010 the leadership convention took place in February 2011. Former Deputy Premier Rich Coleman will take over on an interim basis which presumably means he will not run for permanent leader.
http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/christy-clark-resigns-as-leader-of-b-c-liberal-partyWith such a diverse coalition (Some Federal liberals and Conservatives) plus no apparent front runner their is likely to be a long list of names enter this race. I will go through them all in more detail but here are some of them below that may be contenders.
Current MLA's (Past Cabinet) Mike de Jong- Former Finance Minister, MLA Abbotsford West (ran in 2011 finished 4th)
Mike Bernier- Former Education Minister, MLA Peace River South
Shirley Bond- Former Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training (and a number of other departments), MLA for Prince George-Valemount
Mary Polak- Former Heath and Environment Minster, MLA for Langley
Outside Caucus non MLA'sKevin Falcon- Former Minister of Finance/Deputy Premier and MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale (ran in 2011 finished runner up)
Dianna Watts- Former Mayor of Surrey and Conservative MP for South Surrey—White Rock.
Joyce Murray-Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Liberal MP for Vancouver Quadra and Former BC Liberal New Westminster MLA.
The last two probably won't run but would be top contenders if they did.
