Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin has thrown his support behind NDP federal leadership candidate Nathan Cullen.
Austin announced his endorsement of the Skeena-Bulkley Valley Member of Parliament in Terrace last Friday.
“The truly outstanding attribute that Nathan brings to the leadership is his ability to communicate with people in such a way that he not only de-mystifies politics, but enables all who hear him to connect their own wishes, dreams and values to what is possible in this great country,” Austin said.
Austin was first elected to the provincial riding of Skeena in 2005 and re-elected in 2009.
He is currently the provincial NDP education critic.
His endorsement was not a surprise in that Austin played a role at Cullen’s announcement late September in Vancouver that he was running for the leadership.
A federal NDP leadership race became necessary when Jack Layton died of cancer during the summer.
Layton’s personality during this spring’s federal election is widely credited with propelling the federal NDP to official opposition status.
The vote for a new leader is to take place in March of next year.