Conservative nominee enters convention with endorsement from heavy hitter Jim Gouk
By Nelson Daily Staff
Real Estate Agent Marshall Neufeld received some high praise prior to the South Okanagan West Kootenay Conservative nomination convention when former Member of Parliament Jim Gouk came out to endorse the Penticton resident.
“It takes special and unique talent as well as a truly dedicated effort to win what had been in the past a swing riding,” Gouk, who represented the area as a member of the Reform Party from 1993-2006.
“I believe Marshall has the talent and dedication needed to end the period of NDP neglect and get the representation we deserve.”
The Conservative nomination convention for the new riding of South Okanagan West Kootenay runs Thursday through Saturday. The meeting is to determine the Conservative Party rep members wish to represent the party in the next federal election.
“While I thank all past candidates for their strong efforts . . . had we a candidate like Marshall, I believe we would have remained Conservative,” Gouk exclaimed.
Gouk, a well-known West Kootenay resident, entered federal politics in 1993 when he was elected in Kootenay West — Revelstoke with the Reform Party of Canada.
In 1997 he was elected out of the West Kootenay — Okanagan riding. In 2000, Gouk was elected after joining the Canadian Alliancefrom the Kootenay— Boundary — Okanagan riding.
He was elected a fourth time in 2004 in the riding of Southern Interior, this time for the Conservative Party of Canada.
“I hope you will join me in supporting Marshall as the next conservative MP from our riding,” concluded Gouk.
