KELOWNA, B.C. -- Premier Christy Clark says residents in a Kelowna, B.C., riding are telling her she's getting their votes because she guided British Columbia's Liberal Party to victory in the May provincial election.
Pollsters had predicted the Liberals' demise, but the party won its fourth consecutive mandate primarily because of Clark's determined and charismatic campaign push. But she lost her own seat in a Vancouver riding.
Clark was forced to take a second run at the legislature in a byelection on Wednesday in what is considered safe Liberal territory in the Okanagan-area riding of Westside-Kelowna.
It's been the past political home of two former B.C. premiers -- W.A.C. Bennett and Bill Bennett.
Clark took her campaign to a lakeside coffee shop Wednesday, saying voters have said they want to reward her for her government's election win.
"Here, people look at the result of the election and they are really proud we were able to win the election and keep British Columbia on the track for growing the private sector economy for the next four years. And so what I'm seeing from a lot of people is, 'Thank you, Christy, that's what we want here in Kelowna and we're voting for you."'
Clark then left the bistro in the front seat of a large, white convertible Eldorado.
She faces seven other candidates in the riding that encompasses Kelowna's downtown business core, the tourist-friendly lake front and the neighbouring residential community of West Kelowna.
Opposition New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix is expected to be in Kelowna to help NDP candidate Carole Gordon with her final campaign efforts. Gordon, who lost in the May 14 election, was spending the last day of the race knocking on doors and meeting potential supporters.
Gordon said she has a home field advantage over Clark because she's lived in the Kelowna area for 40 years.
But neither Gordon nor Clark can vote Wednesday because they don't live in the riding they are hoping to represent.
Clark said Wednesday that if she wins, she will buy a home in the riding.
Liberal MLA Ben Stewart vacated his seat for Clark after she lost her Vancouver seat to New Democrat David Eby in the May 14 election.
Stewart said Clark has embraced local issues and told voters she wants to improve traffic congestion, enhance health care and start work on a second bridge across Okanagan Lake.
Stewart said when he was re-elected to a second term he placed those issues on his long-term wish list.
But he said Clark has grabbed hold of them, and voters are anticipating results.
"In the last 28 days, we've moved things ahead a lot further than I would have," Stewart said.
Gordon said she doubted Clark's campaign enthusiasm will produce long-term results if she wins because her job as premier won't allow enough time for local issues.
