With a candidates meeting set for next Monday (March 21) to replace longtime Conservative MP John Cummins, one South Deltan has formally thrown their hat in the ring.
Tsawwassen's Maria DeVries, a former Delta Chamber of Commerce president, declared Wednesday night (March 16) she would seek the nomination in the Delta Richmond-East federal riding.
"I bring a combination of community and family values and business sense," DeVries said in a press release. "I understand the challenges this region faces and will be an advocate for Delta Richmond-East and Western Canada, my door to my constituency office will always be open."
DeVries ran in the Delta Council byelection last September, finishing third behind winner Ian Paton and runner up Sylvia Bishop.
In addition to her two consecutive terms as head of the chamber, DeVries has been involved with the Save the Delta Hospital group and Delta Arts Council.
The nomination meeting for the Conservative Party's Delta Richmond-East constituency takes place at the Sundance Inn in Ladner at 7 p.m.
Last Saturday, in an announcement that Cummins was not seeking re-election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanked Cummins for his time in politics.
Cummins was first elected MP in Delta in 1993 as a Reform Party member.
He was re-elected in 1997 and 2000 as a Canadian Alliance member, and since 2004 has served under the banner of the Conservative Party of Canada.
editor@southdeltaleader.com