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Ruby Campbell to seek NDP nomination New Westminster

A day after NDP MLA Judy Darcy announced she won’t be seeking re-election, a well-known resident has announced her intention to seek the NDP’s nomination in a bid to become New Westminster’s next MLA.
ruby Campbell
Ruby Campbell is seeking the NDP nomination in New Westminster. NDP MLA Judy Darcy has announced she won't be seeking re-election when the next provincial election is held.

A day after NDP MLA Judy Darcy announced she won’t be seeking re-election, a well-known resident has announced her intention to seek the NDP’s nomination in a bid to become New Westminster’s next MLA.

Sapperton resident Ruby Campbell has worked as the director of advancement at Simon Fraser University since December 2018. Prior to that, she worked at the City of New Westminster for eight years, serving as the intergovernmental and community partnerships manager for nearly three years and the community projects coordinator for five-and-a-half years.

"The security and quality of life that my partner and I have built for our family here – I believe everyone deserves a fair shot at this. Many people in our community are struggling, and we need to ensure we don't leave people behind after COVID-19," Campbell said in a news release. "Together we can do even more to rebuild our community and invest in people first."

According to the newly launched rubycampbell.ca website, Campbell is an active New Democrat, who serves on the constituency executive for the New Westminster NDP, the BC NDP gender rights committee and is a member of BC NDP Indigenous, Black and People of Colour committee.

According to a press release from Campbell, she’s the first to declare her campaign for the NDP candidacy in New Westminster. The candidate will be officially selected by members of the party in a vote to be scheduled by the constituency executive.

While the province is scheduled to have an election in October 2021, speculation is rampant that Premier John Horgan will call a snap election this fall. In recent days, a number of New Democrats, including Darcy, have announced they won’t be seeking re-election and other candidates have announced they’ll be seeking nominations, including former Coquitlam-New Westminster MP Fin Donnelly, who is seeking the NDP nomination for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain.

Several well-known politicians are backing Campbell’s bid to become the NDP candidate in New West.

“Ruby has a deep understanding of how the big issues impact our community – from housing to climate action to transportation,” Coun. Patrick Johnstone said in a news release. “She has always inspired me with her hard work, her dedication to community service and her ability to get things done. She will be an outstanding MLA.”

Former MLA and MP Dawn Black is also supporting Campbell’s nomination.

“Ruby has shown her commitment to fairness and equality over many years of community involvement,” she said in a press release. “I’ve been impressed by how she listens and connects to people. I firmly believe Ruby will serve the people of New Westminster with dignity, integrity and courage.”

Former city councillor Bill Harper also supports Campbell.

“Ruby has been a great infrastructure builder for the City of New Westminster,” he said. “She worked with the city teams to bring us Pier Park, Intelligent City fibre network, the youth centre, the economic development approach to RCH expansion and much more. Whether it’s working with local community groups, walking the halls of the provincial legislature or meeting with federal politicians, Ruby knows how to get things done.”

To date, no other candidates have announced their intention to seek the NDP nomination. So far, the Record has not been contacted by any other political parties regarding candidates in the next provincial election.