Preet Rai, a second-term Abbotsford school trustee, has been nominated as the the BC NDP candidate in the Abbotsford-Mission riding.
Photograph by: File photo , Abbotsford Times
Abbotsford school trustee Preet Rai was nominated as the BC NDP candidate in the Abbotsford-Mission riding on Sunday for the 2013 provincial election.
Rai, an accountant who works with the provincial government, is serving his second term on the Abbotsford Board of Education.
He beat out nominee hopeful Wendy Bales who is the Fraser Valley Regional District director for electoral area C.
Rai said he was thrilled to be part of the New Democratic Team.
"It's the people's party," he said.
"They've also been for the people, labour movement and they show support for small business and change for the better."
His position as a school trustee has allowed him to be out in the community and to grasp what's important to constituents, said Rai, adding his strengths include his ability to listen.
"I'm a people person and I know how and want to listen," he said.
One of priorities the NDP has for the Abbotsford-Mission riding is to take steps to develop skills training and higher education opportunities for youth, said Rai.
Rai acknowledged he'll face a difficult electoral race for the riding, which is a long-time stronghold for the B.C. Liberal Party.
Veteran Abbotsford city councillor Simon Gibson was nominated as the Liberal candidate in Abbotsford-Mission on Dec. 6, replacing retiring MLA Randy Hawes who held the riding for 12 years.
"It will be a tight race and I'll have to work hard," said Rai.
"But I'll be door knocking. I'll be out there, and I'll be listening."
Aird Flavelle, who ran for Abbotsford city council last year, is running in Abbotsford-Mission for the Green Party.
The other confirmed NDP candidates are Lakhvinder Jhaj in Abbotsford South, and Sukhi Dhami in Abbotsford West, while the Maple Ridge-Mission candidate is Media Union of B.C. president Mike Bocking.
"Preet's public service at the local level shows the strong experience he can bring to the BC Legislature," said BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix in a press release.
"I'm looking forward to campaigning with Preet in Abbotsford and Mission in the coming weeks and months."
