By Sam Anderson, Cloverdale Reporter
Surrey-Cloverdale has made its decision: BC Liberal Marvin Hunt will be its next representative in the Legislative Assembly.
With 87 of 97 polls reporting, Hunt received 9,019 votes, compared to the NDP’s Rebecca Smith, with 7,110. Green candidate Aleksandra Muniak received 2,340 votes and Libertarian Peter Poelstra received 231.
Before running in Surrey-Cloverdale, Hunt served as Liberal MLA in Surrey-Panorama after winning the seat in 2013. He served on Surrey council from 1988 to 2013 before venturing into provincial politics in the last election.
The recent redistribution of ridings - most notably, in Surrey, the addition of Surrey South - meant that Hunt now lives within the Surrey-Cloverdale riding.
“Redistribution has really worked well for (the NDP) and against us,” said Hunt on election night. “That’s what you certainly see in Surrey.
“I’m just really grateful that the citizens of Cloverdale have allowed me to represent them,” he added. “I really enjoy the unique community of Cloverdale. It’s just a great honour.”
Hunt has said he believes the three most significant issues facing the Surrey-Cloverdale riding are education, housing affordability and encouraging job growth.
“First priority is always going to be schools,” he said, “as we have the continued development of Clayton. Continued growth and education will continue to be major issues as will healthcare as we have an aging population.”
Ahead of election night, Hunt told The Reporter, “I will work with my colleagues effectively and productively to ensure your taxes remain the lowest in Canada, and that each tax dollar is stretched to best benefit you, your family, and our community in Surrey-Cloverdale – giving our children and grandchildren an even better province.”