Michael Geoghegan has announced he will run as the Conservative Party of B.C. candidate for the new electoral riding of Chilliwack-Cultus Lake.
“A return to common sense, freedom and prosperity are my top priorities for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake. For too long, our province has lost sight of its potential due to poor leadership from the NDP,” said Geoghegan in the release Feb. 14.
Party leader John Rustad feels “fortunate” to announce the nomination.
“Our party is fortunate to have Michael Geoghegan running for us,” Rustad said. “His experience in government relations is going to be vital for the people of Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and the province.”
His candidacy is driven by “dedication to public service, his track record of achievements, and his commitment to representing the values and interests” of the community.
Geoghegan grew up in Princeton, Keremeos, Penticton, and Kelowna. He attended Okanagan College in Kelowna and later pursued a B.A. in Economics from the University of Victoria.
He embarked on a career of public service at the BC Legislature as a research officer serving for almost five years as a chief of staff ministerial assistant to cabinet minister Bill Barlee, overseeing portfolios such as Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and later Small Business, Tourism, and Culture.
Geoghegan said “as a father of two adult children,” he understands the economic challenges facing young people and aims to address them by advocating for policies that “alleviate burdensome taxes, such as the provincial carbon tax.”
After his tenure in politics, Geoghegan worked as a consultant, where he saw several projects to fruition including implementing an apprenticeship training tax credit, facilitating a significant settlement for the Okanagan Indian Band, increasing funding and operating hours for public MRIs in B.C., and aiding Seaspan in securing a contract vital to the west coast shipbuilding industry.
While living in Victoria, he was on CFAX radio and CTV News Channel as a weekly guest. In 2018, he ran for Mayor of Victoria finishing third out of five candidates. Seeking a community aligned with his conservative values, he relocated to Chilliwack, where he has since been dedicated to the area’s development.
The party expects to name a candidate for Chilliwack North in the coming weeks.
