Former MLA Henry Yao withdraws from Richmond mayoral race

Former BC NDP MLA Henry Yao has withdrawn from the Richmond mayoral race, according to the City of Richmond. The city said Yao withdrew his nomination late last week. Candidates in the municipal election had until 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, to withdraw, after the Sept. 11 nomination deadline. Richmond News said it did not receive a response from Yao before publication.

Yao served as MLA for Richmond South Centre and was defeated in 2024 in the renamed Richmond Centre riding. Richmond's municipal election is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17. The remaining mayoral candidates include current councillors Kash Heed and Alexa Loo, former MLA Rob Howard, Mei Kang, Dickens Cheung, Dennet Lee and Goldentiger King. Fifty-five candidates are seeking eight council seats, while 28 are seeking seven school trustee seats.

The report also noted speculation that Premier David Eby may call an early provincial election amid turmoil in the Conservative Party of B.C. Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned Sunday after three months in the role. Several MLAs, including Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat, had left or been removed from the Conservative caucus; many who left cited Findlay's leadership style.