91原创 Township Councillor Misty vanPopta will be running for the BC Conservatives in the 91原创-Walnut Grove riding in this fall鈥檚 election.

VanPopta was first elected to council in 2022 with the Contract With 91原创 slate. She first ran for council as an independent in 2011.

Born and raised in 91原创, she鈥檚 lived in North 91原创 most of her life, in the area covered by the new riding, said the candidate.

This is the first time she鈥檚 running for office above the municipal level.

鈥淵ou always think of your political future, and what you鈥檇 like to accomplish, and how you鈥檇 like to serve your community,鈥� she said.

But she didn鈥檛 start seriously thinking about running provincially until a year ago, she said.

While with the council, vanPopta has been on the Metro Vancouver Water Committee and the Climate Action Committee. She鈥檚 also served on the Township鈥檚 Heritage Advisory Committee.

Outside of politics, she鈥檚 worked as a project management professional in the construction industry, which she said has given her expertise in building housing and urban planning challenges.

She鈥檚 also been a small business owner and worked in the pharmaceutical software industry.

In the announcement of her candidacy, vanPopta said she was motivated to run due to overcrowded schools, and a lack of investment in health care and transportation.

鈥淚 think the housing legislation is what really put me over the edge,鈥� said vanPopta, of her decision to run.

This is the first time

Her candidacy will see her running against council colleague who was also elected with the Contract With 91原创 slate.

Coun. Barb Martens is running in 91原创-Walnut Grove for the BC United party, formerly known as the BC Liberals.

Running for the NDP will be former school board chair and current 91原创 East MLA Megan Dykeman.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e got three strong women,鈥� vanPopta noted of the candidates in 91原创-Walnut Grove.

Formerly covered by two ridings 鈥� 91原创 and 91原创 East 鈥� 91原创 has grown so rapidly that in a recent realignment, it was divided up into three ridings. They are 91原创-Abbotsford in the south and east extending out to Bradner Road, 91原创-Walnut Grove in the northwest, including Fort 91原创 and most of Willoughby, and 91原创-Willowbrook in the west, including 91原创 City and parts of Brookswood.

The 2024 provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024.

READ ALSO: Township councillor Barb Martens to run for BC United

READ ALSO: MLA Megan Dykeman to run for second term in new riding of 91原创-Walnut Grove