The upcoming leadership race for the British Columbia Conservative Party presents a monumental challenge: the successful candidate must heal deep internal divisions that have already forced out one leader and led to the departure of five MLAs within a single year. The task of uniting the fractured centre-right coalition falls to whoever steps forward to replace former leader John Rustad, who resigned on December 4, 2025.
Contenders Emerge in a Cautious Field
While speculation has been rampant, the field of official candidates remains narrow one month after Rustad's departure. Warren Hamm, a contractor from Rossland, is the only person to have formally announced his candidacy. Another likely contender is Yuri Fulmer, chancellor of Capilano University, who has not officially declared but has already launched a website outlining his platform for the leadership.
Several other figures are publicly considering a run. These include Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu and Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar. From outside the legislature, potential candidates are Darrell Jones, the former president of the Pattison Food Group, and Caroline Elliott, the party's Indigenous policy critic who is also the sister-in-law of B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon.
Notable Absences and a Key Consideration
The race has also seen significant figures decline to participate. North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn, Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew, and Independent Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko have all decided against running. Former Surrey mayor and ex-Conservative MP Dianne Watts also confirmed she has no intention to run, despite polling that suggested strong public support for her potential candidacy.
For those who are considering it, the stakes are provincial power. Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, who is seriously weighing a bid, stated the position offers the power to shape the new centre-right coalition and potentially become the next premier. "I think it is time for the centre-right coalition to get serious about coalescing as a group to make sure that the NDP doesn't continue on in government," Milobar said, expressing a belief that there is more unity within the caucus than recent public framing suggests.
The Urgent Need for Unity and Forthcoming Rules
However, the party's executive director, Angelo Isidorou, offered a contrasting perspective, indicating that the new leader's primary task will be to mend rifts not only within the caucus but also between the party's legislative wing and its governing board. The divisions are severe, having led to the expulsion or resignation of multiple MLAs following Rustad's ouster.
The party is now moving to formalize the contest. On Friday, January 5, 2026, Isidorou announced the formation of a committee to establish the rules for the leadership race. This committee will determine critical details such as the election timeline and the candidate entrance fee. The party aims to start the race by the end of January 2026 and have a new leader selected by spring. Isidorou added that measures are being implemented to avoid a repeat of the allegations regarding improper membership sign-ups that marred Rustad's leadership review in the summer of 2025.
The coming months will be a critical test for the B.C. Conservatives' viability as a government-in-waiting. The ability to attract a strong leader and consolidate a divided membership will directly impact their capacity to mount a credible challenge to Premier David Eby's NDP in the next provincial election.
