In 2014, theBritish Columbia New Democratic Party scheduled aleadership election to select a new leader. The contest was called followingAdrian Dix's resignation announcement on September 18, 2013, several months after the party's unexpected defeat in the2013 election after pre-campaign polls had shown the NDP ahead by as much as 20 points.[1][2][3] The election was to be held from September 24 to 27, with the results announced on September 28; however, asJohn Horgan was the only candidate to be officially nominated by the deadline of May 1, 2014, at 5pm, he was acclaimed leader.[4]
The party set the entrance fee for candidates at $25,000 and a spending maximum of $350,000.[5]
The leadership vote was to be conducted bypreferential ballot cast via internet and telephone, with all party members being eligible to vote. The voting was to occur from September 24 to 27, with the results announced on September 28. Unlike the previous leadership election, which was also conducted on a "one member, one vote" basis, members would not have had the option of voting at the convention itself or on a live ballot-by-ballot basis but could only cast a preferential ballot and do so by internet or phone.[5]
The deadline for candidates to be nominated was May 1, 2014. The deadline to join the NDP and be eligible to vote was to be June 26, 2014.[6]
MLA forJuan de Fuca since 2005,Horgan had been Opposition Critic for Education and, until his candidacy was announced, he was Opposition Energy Critic (2006–2014) and Opposition House Leader (2011–2014). Horgan ran in the 2011 leadership election, placing third.
Farnworth was MLA forPort Coquitlam (1991–2001, 2005–present), Opposition Finance Critic, former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (1997–98), Minister of Employment and Investment and Minister Responsible for Housing (1998–2000), Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors (2000), and Minister Social Development and Economic Security (2000–01). He placed second in the2011 leadership election.
Reason: Farnworth withdrew, conceding that he could not beat Horgan, who had amassed the support of over half the NDP's 34-member caucus. He had not officially registered his candidacy prior to deciding not to run.[9]