British Columbia (BC) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Michael Lee has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming provincial election.
Lee, who has represented the riding of Vancouver-Langara since 2017, made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that he wants to focus on his family and private sector career.
In a statement, Lee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as an MLA and his pride in the accomplishments of the BC Liberal Party during his time in office.
He also acknowledged the challenges that the province has faced, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked his constituents for their support and trust.
Lee’s decision not to run for re-election comes as a surprise to many, as he was considered a rising star within the BC Liberal Party. He was the party’s candidate for leader in 2018, ultimately losing to Andrew Wilkinson.
During his time as MLA, Lee served as the opposition critic for Attorney General and was a member of several committees, including the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations and the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Lee’s departure from politics leaves a vacancy in the BC Liberal Party’s leadership, as well as in the Vancouver-Langara riding. The party has yet to announce a new candidate for the riding.
Lee’s decision not to seek re-election adds to the growing list of BC Liberal MLAs who have announced their departure from politics, including former leader Andrew Wilkinson and former cabinet ministers Rich Coleman and Linda Reid.
The BC provincial election is set to take place on October 24, 2020. With Lee’s departure, the BC Liberal Party will have to work quickly to find a new candidate for the Vancouver-Langara riding in order to maintain their presence in the upcoming election.
