Supporters of OneCity gathered at the basement of Cedar Cottage Pub Saturday night as they waited for the election results to show up on the large flatscreen TV at the front.
RJ Aquino, OneCity’s only candidate in these elections, seemed relaxed as he stood beside the appetizer table, chatting with supporters.
The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive as those in attendance cheered every time someone trudged in from the cold to join them.
“I’m feeling good,” said Aquino. “We spent most of the day walking around the city talking to people – there’s been a lot of positive responses.”
Aquino and OneCity supporters started their day at 9 a.m. walking through neighbourhoods including Commercial Drive, Hastings-Sunrise and Mount Pleasant. Volunteers brought them sandwiches but there was little time for breaks.
“It’s a rigorous schedule,” said Scott Colbourne, one of only two OneCity full-time staffers. “We rely a lot on our volunteers.”
But even after a full day of walking Vancouver’s streets, Aquino was full of optimism. “No matter what the result is we feel like we already won,” he said. “And this is just the beginning.”
Voters may recognize RJ Aquino from run for council in 2011 under COPE. He placed 20th in that election but much has changed since then.
In May of this year, Aquino announced his candidacy under the new political party, OneCity. In recent weeks Aquino has received increased media attention and public support from B.C.’s leader of the opposition Adrian Dix and other NDP MLAs.
