Two senior staffers are resigning from the troubled BC Liberal party, one month after MLA John van Dongen's high-profile defection and two weeks after the party suffered a pair of byelection defeats.
Executive director Chad Pederson broke the news of his departure on Twitter over the weekend, announcing that he was pursuing "a new opportunity" and wishing the party the best in the May 2013 election.
"An honour to have served with volunteers across BC to build a strong grassroots organization. Thanks for your support!" he wrote.
Pederson worked with the party for the better part of a decade before being promoted to executive director in December 2010. He was also president of the BC Young Liberals during his time at Simon Fraser University.
Communications director Jehnifer Benoit also revealed her resignation on the social networking site, clarifying in a later tweet that she was leaving voluntarily.
"Lets (sic) be clear – I resigned, I was not forced out. I am seeking new opportunities, personal decision. Wish @BCLiberals all the best!" Benoit said.
Their resignations came after the Liberals' fruitless byelection campaigns in Chilliwack-Hope and Port Moody-Coquitlam on April 19, and van Dongen's decision to join up with John Cummins' upstart BC Conservative party on March 26.
Both byelection seats went to rival NDP candidates. The Conservatives came third in both races.
