Long-time politician Mike de Jong has announced that the Conservative Party of Canada has declined his application to seek the nomination for the Abbotsford-South Langley riding.

On a social media post on Tuesday (March 4), de Jong said he was informed of the decision on Monday night after almost a year of campaigning.

B次元官网网址淭his decision comes despite the fact that the local Electoral District Candidate Selection Committee unanimously endorsed my candidacy, recognizing my qualifications and deep roots in this community,B次元官网网址� de Jong posted.

He wrote that the party felt he was B次元官网网址渘ot sufficiently qualified to serve as a member of parliament.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址�(This is) a conclusion that is disappointing B次元官网网址� not just for me, but thousands of Conservative members who signed up to support my candidacy and were prepared to cast their vote for me this weekend,B次元官网网址� he stated.

B次元官网网址淚t is difficult to comprehend how I would not be deemed worthy of having my name on the ballot.B次元官网网址�

De Jong, 60, served as the Abbotsford West MLA under BC United (formerly the Liberals) for 30 years.

He announced in February 2024 that he was retiring from provincial politics. In mid-April, he confirmed he would seek the federal Conservative nomination for the Abbotsford-South Langley riding being vacated by retiring long-time MP Ed Fast.

Still in the running for the ridingB次元官网网址檚 nomination are Shanjeelin Dwivedi, Mike Murray, Steve Schafer, Sukhman Singh Gill and Gurnoor Sidhu.The nomination vote is slated to take place this Saturday, March 8.

A federal election must take place this year in October, but is expected to take place sooner than that.

The Abbotsford B次元官网网址 has reached out to the riding association for comment and will update the story accordingly.

More to come B次元官网网址�