Rattée poised to seek re-election in Skeena as B.C. Conservatives regroup
Published 4:08 pm Thursday, September 24, 2026
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Skeena MLA Claire Rattée appears set to seek re-election under the B.C. Conservative banner, days after returning to a party that had briefly expelled her from its caucus.
While there has not yet been a formal announcement of her candidacy, the Conservative Party of B.C. lists Rattée as its candidate for Skeena. As of Sept. 24, however, the candidate list linked by Elections BC was still timestamped Sept. 22 and showed no registered candidates. Elections BC says its list includes only nominations it has accepted, not everyone who has publicly declared they are running.
Nonetheless, Rattée herself left little doubt about her intentions in a statement issued Sept. 20, before the snap election was called.
“I will run in the next election as a BC Conservative. Every action I have taken, and every action I take going forward, will be guided by one purpose: fighting for the people of Skeena and their right to a well-paying job, an affordable place to live, reliable health care and a government that listens to them.”
The statement came during a turbulent stretch for the B.C. Conservatives that saw Rattée expelled from caucus, party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resign and several former Conservative MLAs return to the fold shortly before the provincial election was called.
Rattée was expelled from the Conservative caucus Sept. 18 along with John Rustad and Trevor Halford. The move came amid a wider revolt against Findlay’s leadership and followed a series of departures from the party during the summer.
Findlay resigned Sept. 20 after 113 days as leader. Lorne Doerkson was subsequently appointed interim leader and began inviting former caucus members back.
Rattée returned to the Conservative caucus by Sept. 21, along with Rustad, Halford, Linda Hepner and Scott McInnis.
The provincial election was called the following day, with final voting day set for Oct. 24.
In her Sept. 20 statement, Rattée thanked Findlay for her service and said British Columbia needs a broad coalition focused on affordability, addiction, health care and what she described as “years of NDP mismanagement.”
She also attributed the prospect of a snap election to the turmoil engulfing the Conservatives and directed a message at Premier David Eby.
“Do not mistake the growing pains of our movement for weakness. We are coming together, we are focused, and we will hold your government accountable on behalf of the people we represent.”
Rattée was elected MLA for Skeena in 2024 and has served as the Conservatives’ critic for mental health and addictions. The party’s current website identifies her as both its Skeena candidate and critic for mental health and addictions.