Kamloops South Thompson MLA Todd Stone has formally endorsed Kevin Falcon in his bid for BC Liberal Party leadership.

Stone, who was rumoured to be a leadership candidate himself before bowing out earlier this year, announced his support for Falcon early Wednesday evening.

“I know the hard work that lies ahead for the next leader and I believe Kevin has what it takes to lead both the party and the province through these challenging times,” Stone says in a news release.

“Kevin will champion big, bold ideas. He is someone with a vision for British Columbia that propels us forward. Someone who won’t just settle for economic recovery, but actually thinks about building for our next generation.”

Stone is the fourth Liberal MLA to endorse Falcon, with others being Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford, Delta-South MLA Ian Paton and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris.

Other Liberal MLAs in the Kamloops area, including Kamloops-North member Peter Milobar and Fraser-Nicola member Jackie Tegart, have not yet endorsed a candidate.

Apart from Falcon, other declared candidates for party leadership are Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee and businessman Gavin Dew.

Falcon declared his candidacy last month, after having been out of politics since 2013. He spent 12 years as MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale and served prominent roles in the cabinets of Premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark, including Minister of Transportation and Minister of Finance.

Falcon himself has suggested his roles in cabinet under previous leaders could be his biggest challenge to his leadership campaign.

He says the party has “lost its way” since he left politics and he says the party would be renamed if he becomes leader.