B.C. Conservatives nominate White Rock Mayor Megan Knight as Surrey South candidate

White Rock Mayor Megan Knight has been announced as the B.C. Conservatives’ candidate for MLA in Surrey South, the riding most recently represented by Brent Chapman. The party released the announcement Friday afternoon, Sept. 25. Knight was elected mayor of the seaside city in 2022 after serving as a city councillor from 2014 to 2018.

Chapman said earlier this week that he was moving to the OneBC party ahead of the provincial election. NDP leader David Eby called a snap provincewide election on Tuesday, Sept. 22, citing the threat from U.S. President Donald Trump while a municipal election was under way. Municipal voting is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, with the provincial vote following a week later on Saturday, Oct. 24.

B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson praised Knight as a candidate, saying British Columbians deserve leaders who are candid, hardworking and accountable to the people they serve. In the party release, Knight said her door had always been open and that she would continue to listen. She said Surrey South families were working harder while falling further behind, and deserved a government that respects their money and earns their trust.

Knight previously sought the BC Liberal nomination in Surrey-White Rock in 2020; that seat was ultimately won by Trevor Halford, now a B.C. Conservative MLA. Her Surrey South candidacy could set up a contest with former Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko, who was named CentreBC leader earlier this week and will run under that party’s banner. Sturko most recently represented Surrey-Cloverdale as an Independent after being removed from the B.C. Conservative caucus last September.

It remains unclear whether Chapman will join a three-way race. Elected to represent Surrey South in 2024, he has since left the Conservatives for OneBC. The party’s website lists him as a candidate for South Surrey-White Rock, though no provincial riding by that name exists; Surrey South and Surrey-White Rock are separate ridings. Peace Arch News has sought clarification from Chapman and OneBC.

The B.C. Conservative announcement likely means Knight will leave the current White Rock mayoral race, although it remains uncertain whether her name will stay on the civic ballot. Deputy chief election officer Tracey Arthur said the city has asked the province about the matter, as approval would be required for a candidate withdrawal at this stage. The city hopes to have more information by early next week. If Knight leaves, Susan Bains and Chris Shields would contend for the mayor’s seat. Under a recently passed provincial law, candidates may run in both elections but cannot serve simultaneously as an MLA and a local official. Peace Arch News has also requested comment from Knight.