Provincial NDP MLA Mable Elmore officially kicked off her campaign Saturday in the race to succeed high-profile New Democrat Libby Davies in the federal 91原创 East riding.
Elmore, who has represented the New Democrats for 91原创-Kensington since elected in 2009, announced her intention to run in December, saying it was a tough decision but she wants to pursue issues such as immigration, social justice and affordable housing on a national scale.
This is not Elmore鈥檚 first run at federal politics. In 2005, she sought the NDP nomination in 91原创 Kingsway, but was unsuccessful. Elmore told The Sun on Saturday that she learned a lot from her first experience running for the nomination.
鈥淲e ran a great campaign but came up short to Ian Waddell by 40 votes, so a respectable showing. But we learned how things work and how the whole process unfolds,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat was helpful when I was asked to run in my provincial riding of 91原创-Kensington. I really drew from that experience and that contributed to my success.鈥�
She plans to build on Davies鈥� commitment to grassroots organizing in the community. 鈥淚 think 91原创 East鈥檚 strength is uniting and bringing people together, mobilizing them. And I want to continue that legacy,鈥� she said.
91原创 East is among the poorest federal ridings in Canada as it includes the city鈥檚 troubled Downtown Eastside, an area Elmore described as holding 鈥渁 special place in her heart.鈥�
Elmore spent many years in the 1990S advocating for women鈥檚 issues, immigrant rights, and supporting the missing and murdered indigenous women peace marches. She also worked on many of Davies鈥� campaigns and has collaborated with her over the years.
Davies, who announced in December she is stepping down from federal politics after representing 91原创 East for 17 years, said she would not endorse a specific candidate.
鈥淗er advice to me was just get out there and work hard, and get people involved and try to encourage that participation, so I have really appreciated her counsel,鈥� said Elmore.
But securing the nomination won鈥檛 be easy as several other well-known activists and politicians have expressed their intention to run.
Those include SFU鈥檚 director of media and community relations Scott McLean, 91原创 city councillor Raymond Louie, former two-term councillor Ellen Woodsworth, and 91原创 鈥� Mount Pleasant NDP MLA Jenny Kwan.
Kwan has worked in the provincial legislature for 18 years, and is a vocal advocate for the homeless and people suffering from poverty and addiction.
听
