The race to lead the Conservative Party of British Columbia is beginning to narrow, just as a new poll suggests Peter Milobar may be the party’s strongest candidate to defeat the governing BC New Democratic Party in the next provincial election.
Bruce Banman, the MLA for Abbotsford South, announced Sunday he is suspending his leadership campaign and endorsing entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer.
Banman said in a statement that while he was proud to have entered the race earlier this year, he believes Fulmer can best carry the party’s momentum forward.
“I’m incredibly grateful to receive the endorsement of MLA Bruce Banman,” Fulmer said in response on social media, crediting Banman with helping raise the profile of the party and securing official party status in the legislature.
Banman had been one of nine candidates approved to run in the leadership contest after meeting the party’s nomination requirements in late February.
The move comes as the crowded leadership field begins to shift ahead of the party’s planned leadership vote in May.
Sources within the party also indicate Harman Bhangu, the MLA for Langley–Abbotsford, may soon suspend his campaign. Political observers have speculated he could endorse commentator Caroline Elliott, though no official announcement has been made.
The leadership race was triggered after former party leader John Rustad stepped down in 2025, with Trevor Halford currently serving as interim leader.
Remaining candidates include Milobar, the MLA for Kamloops–North Thompson, former federal cabinet minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay, former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, Elliott, Fulmer, and former grocery executive Darrell Jones.
Meanwhile, a new poll suggests Milobar may be emerging as the front-runner if the party’s goal is to form government.
A survey conducted by Mainstreet Research between March 11 and 13 found that a Conservative Party led by Milobar would hold a clear advantage over the NDP.
Among all voters surveyed, the Conservatives led by Milobar received 37.7% support compared with 33.0% for the NDP under Premier David Eby.
Among decided voters, the Conservative lead widens to 43.8%, compared with 38.3% for the NDP.
The poll’s seat projection model suggests that scenario could translate into a 53-seat majority for the Conservatives in B.C.’s 93-seat legislature, with the NDP reduced to 38 seats and the BC Green Party holding two.
By contrast, the poll found that other leadership candidates would likely produce a much tighter race.
Under Elliott, Black or Findlay, the Conservatives were projected to win about 46 seats — just enough for a minority government and only slightly ahead of the NDP at 45 seats.
The survey also asked voters about their top concerns, with cost of living ranking highest at 27%, followed by health care at just over 20%.
The Mainstreet poll surveyed 1,054 B.C. residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
