Abbotsford city councillor Moe Gill is putting his provincial electoral aspirations on hold after last week's announcement that there wouldn't be an early fall election.

On Aug. 31, Premier Christy Clark ended months of speculation about an early vote when she decided to adhere to the province's fixed election date of May 14, 2013.

During her Liberal leadership campaign, Clark had said she intended to seek a mandate from the general public, as voters didn't elect her to the office of premier.

When talk of an autumn vote was in the air, Gill stated he would seek the B.C. Liberal Party nomination for the Abbotsford-South riding currently held by longtime MLA John van Dongen.

However, with the provincial election close to two years away, Gill plans to run for council again in November.

"Right now because the provincial election is so far away, I'm going to concentrate on the municipal elections because my first priority is serving the community," said Gill.

A city councillor for 15 years, Gill had previously said he was encouraged to make the jump into provincial politics by supporters over the past year.

Gill said it was too early to say whether he still would seek the Liberal nomination for the Abbotsford-South riding when the election takes place.

"It's something I will review when the time comes but right now I'd like to concentrate on the municipal elections."

Van Dongen, first elected to Victoria in 1995, made it clear he would be fighting to keep his seat.

However, he didn't say if he would run as an independent candidate if he didn't secure the Liberal nomination.

"I've made it clear. I'm running for re-election in the Abbotsford-South riding when the election occurs," he said.

RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com