NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan

British Columbia's New Democrats have formally named the head of a Victoria-area school board as their candidate in an upcoming byelection to fill the seat once held by former Premier John Horgan.

The NDP says Sooke School District Chair Ravi Parmar will carry the party banner in the race to represent the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca.

It issued a release saying Parmar oversaw the largest expansion in the board's history while working alongside Horgan, who stepped down as premier last year and officially resigned his legislature seat in March.

Parmar says he worked with Horgan as a student activist while attending Belmont Secondary during the reign of the B.C. Liberal Party, which has since rebranded as BC United.

Parmar says he's "honoured" to be nominated and follow in the footsteps of Horgan, whom he calls a "friend and mentor."

I have spent my entire life fighting for my community.

From the hallways of the old Belmont Secondary to the SD62 Board Office.

I am ready to take my advocacy to the BC Legislature.

My name is Ravi Parmar and I am running to be your next @bcndp MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. pic.twitter.com/vBpYN0PYmz

— Ravi Parmar (@rparmarBC) April 12, 2023

BC United named Elena Lawson, a parent advocating for children with autism, as its candidate earlier this month.

Elections BC says the province has two pending byelections, one for Langford-Juan de Fuca, which must be called by the end of September, and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, which must be called by mid-October.