MLA Harman Bhangu is 11th candidate to enter B.C. Conservative leadership race

Harman Bhangu aimed to position himself as an alternative to those he called “political elites” as he launched his B.C. Conservative leadership campaign on Wednesday.

“Working people need someone real who will roll up their sleeves and fight for them. Someone who will stand with everyday British Columbians, not just big business and insiders,” said the Langley-Abbotsford MLA and transportation critic in a social media post.

The Surrey-native was elected to the legislature in 2024, and previously worked in the trucking industry.

He also ran as a Conservative candidate in the 2022 Surrey South by-election, placing third with less than 13 per cent of the vote.

Bhangu hinted in December he was mulling a leadership run, but said he wouldn’t join the race unless his friend, North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn, decided not to run.

Gunn announced later that month he wouldn’t launch a leadership bid.

Bhangu joins a crowded field of 11 candidates who have announced leadership bids. The ten other candidates are:

Ten candidates have confirmed they’re running to lead the B.C. Conservatives:

• Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman
• Former B.C. Liberal labour minister Iain Black
• Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare
• Political commentator and former BC United vice-president Caroline Elliott
• Former federal Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay
• Entrepreneur and Capilano University chancellor Yuri Fulmer
• Rossland contractor Warren Hamm
• Former grocery executive Darrell Jones
• Richmond-Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner
• Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar

Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has served as interim leader since John Rustad stepped down in early December under pressure from his caucus.

A new leader is to be announced on May 30.