Penticton Coun. Helena Konanz has been announced as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for the Similkameen - South Okanagan - West Kootenay riding.
Konanz has run in the previous South Okanagan - West Kootenay riding twice before, falling to outgoing MP Richard Cannings in 2019 with a close 35.2 per cent to 36.4 per cent, and in 2021 with a 35.5 per cent vote for Konanz compared to Cannings' 41.3.
Cannings announced in 2024 that he did not plan to run for re-election.
Konanz's candidacy was a surprising one, as she was not one of the previously announced nominees for the position.
Former MLA Dan Ashton, and businessmen Gary Johal, Chris Pequin and Kevin Klippenstein had all announced runs for the candidacy but were beaten out by Konanz based on the March 24 announcement.
Adding to the surprise was the fact that Konanz had publicly affirmed her intention to finish out the remainder of her council term.
Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield had spoken with every councillor in January and asked for this pledge with the knowledge of a federal election on the horizon and a by-election scheduled to fill at least one seat vacated by then newly-elected MLA Amelia Boultbee.
All of the remaining council members, including Coun. James Miller who is on leave due to criminal proceedings over alleged historic sex crimes, had affirmed their intention to stay on council.
Konanz will vie for the seat against the NDP's candidate Linda Sankey and against People's Party of Canada candidate Barry Dewar.
No candidate has been declared yet for the Liberal Party of Canada in the riding.
