Stilwell kicks off B.C. Liberal leadership race

Stilwelltold Premier Gordon Campbell over the weekend she is resigning from her position as minister of regional economic and skills development to focus on the leadership race.

"I may be relatively new and relatively less experienced in politics, [but] it also means I'm less rehearsed, I've got less baggage, I've got less debt," said Stilwell.

Stilwell says she personally supports the HST, but she would try to get the HST referendum moved up to an earlier date and would abide by the results of the province-wide vote.

Stilwell istrained as radiologist and nuclear medicine physician. She has worked at BC Womens Hospital for almost a decade, according to her website, and washead of nuclear medicine at St. Pauls Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, and the Abbottsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Clinic before becoming an MLA in 2009.

"I have long experiences in health care, not just practising health care but in leadership positions," she said. "I've been active in my community. I've been an MLA, cabinet minister. I think I'll be a good leader."

Lekstrom out, Tostensonmay be in

Meanwhile, former cabinet minister Blair Lekstrom has decided he will not run for head of the provincial party. The Peace River South MLA quit the B.C. Liberal caucus in June over public opposition to the HST and was considered a frontrunner if he wanted to enter the race.

"I have made the decision that I will not be seeking the nomination," Lekstrom said ina statement released on Monday morning. "Presently, I am able serve the people of Peace River South in the Legislative Assembly, which is a job I love and am honoured to do, and at the same time maintain a quality of life with my family and friends that is second to none."

Ian Tostenson, president and chief executive of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association, says he now is considering running and will make a final announcement by the end of the week.

"What I'd like to see ultimately is how do we get this province pulling together, working hard, and sort of get rid of all this nastiness that's going across both political parties. If I could pull that off, then I would run for sure," Tostenson told CBC Radio on Monday morning.

Two other potential frontrunners, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and former B.C. finance minister Carole Taylor have already said they don't intend to enter the race.

The party scheduled a leadership vote for Feb. 26 after Premier Gordon Campbell announced plans to step down following his handling of the unpopular HST.