The next political nomination showdown is between Abbotsford Coun. Simon Gibson and Mission Coun. Tony Luck on Dec. 6 for the B.C. Liberal candidacy in the Abbotsford-Mission riding.

Voting for riding members will be open from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Mission City Lodge, where the winner will be named.

Luck was endorsed by MLA Randy Hawes, when the latter announced his retirement in September. Gibson was given the thumbs-up by Finance Minister Mike de Jong two weeks ago. Local B.C. Liberal candidates include incumbents Mark Dalton in Maple Ridge-Mission, de Jong in Abbotsford West, and newcomer Darryl Plecas in Abbotsford South, who will face former Liberal, now independent MLA John van Dongen in the election.

The New Democrats hold a nomination contest for Abbotsford-Mission on Jan. 6. Contestants here are Wendy Bales, in her second term as the Fraser Valley Regional District director for electoral area C, and current Abbotsford Board of Education trustee Preet Rai.

There were rumours that former District of Mission Coun. Terry Gidda intended to run, but the deadline is now closed.

NDP candidates already confirmed are Lakhvinder Jhaj in Abbotsford South, and Sukhi Dhami in Abbotsford West, both small business operators, and in Maple Ridge-Mission, Media Union of B.C. president Mike Bocking.

Aird Flavelle, who ran for Abbotsford city council last year, will run in Abbotsford-Mission for the Green Party. The Greens don't have any other local candidates announced yet.

As for the B.C. Conservatives, communications director Kristy Fredericks said the party has had "several excellent candidates express interest" in getting nominations with the party in both Abbotsford and Mission but nomination meeting dates have not yet been set.

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com