The Conservatives have picked their candidate.
Penticton councillor, business-man and former riding president Dan Albas won the nomination Tuesday evening to become the Okanagan Coquihalla Conservative Association’s candidate in the next federal election.
Albas will replace long-time MP and cabinet minister Stockwell Day after beating out Day’s former parliamentary assistant Marshall Neufeld and West Kelowna landscaping business owner Russell “Rusty” Ensign in a nomination vote which took place 10 days after Day’s unexpected retirement announcement.
In the days leading up to the nomination Albas enjoyed the endorsement of former Tory MP's Fred King and Tom Siddon.
"I am glad to see Dan throw his hat in the ring," said King. "I (will) be happy to work for him in the next federal campaign."
With an election call over yesterday’s budget or a contempt of Parliament motion seemingly imminent, Albas will have to get his campaign team up and running quickly.
He will be running against three-term Summerland municipal councillor David Finnis. The Liberals choose their candidate March 28.