Elections B.C. financial spending numbers are out for the candidates who participated in the October, 2024 election, and Conservative Dennis Giesbrecht led the way in Vernon-Lumby.
Giesbrecht spent $77,376.24, while receiving $87,485.56 in income. The Kamloops transplant was reimbursed $33,428.85 for his campaign, where he finished second with 40.97 per cent of the vote. However, he also spent money in his short-lived campaign in the Kamloops-Centre riding in the amount of $7,847.86, while receiving just $6,100.
NDP MLA Harwinder Sandhu, who won the Vernon-Lumby riding with 42.69 per cent of the vote, received the most money, $103,731.61. The two-time MLA spent $64,693.53, and was reimbursed $27,342.43. Four years ago, in the 2020 provincial election, Sandhu won the Vernon-Monashee riding with just $11,705.11 in funds, spending just $9,474.20.
Finally, Independent Kevin Acton raised an impressive tally of $42,019.99. He spent $40,730.13 and was reimbursed $19,365.35. The current Lumby Mayor is in a legal battle with his former party, B.C. United.
As reported on Jan. 21, over campaign expenses, for which he says the party failed to reimburse him. Acton was named the BC United candidate for the election, before the party's folding in late August. The Conservatives then chose Giesbrecht to represent the party. Acton told The Morning Star he was ready to run under the Conservative banner should John Rustad's party choose to run with him. Despite not being picked, he ran as an Independent, where he finished third with 16 per cent of the vote.
In a notice of civil claim filed on Monday, Jan. 20, Acton is seeking $10,589.39 to cover expenses he paid out of pocket while campaigning for the party, plus $176 in court fees.
According to Elections BC, those who have a surplus of funds after a candidate has paid all their expenses must transfer the surplus to the candidate's political party.
"If the candidate does not have a constituency association or political party, the funds must be transferred to the Chief Electoral Officer," said Election BC. "Funds transferred are held in a trust. If the candidate who transfers the funds registers as a candidate in the next provincial election, the Chief Electoral Officer must return the funds for use in that election. Otherwise, the funds are paid to the consolidated revenue fund."
