Rachael Weber has confirmed via Facebook that she has been dumped as the BC Conservatives' candidate in Prince George-Mackenzie.
Weber, a School District 57 trustee, had been chosen as the party's candidate before the news last week that BC United would suspend its campaign and the Conservatives would choose some of their candidates to run in this fall's provincial election.
Global News reported Monday that Weber had been dropped. Weber's profile page on the BC Conservatives' website is no longer available.
She posted about the situation Monday night.
"Recently, due to the collaboration between opposing forces, the BC United and the Conservatives, and internal decisions, I was replaced this weekend," she wrote. "It is a matter of deep sadness for me, as I have always been a steadfast supporter of the Conservative principles and goals. Despite these challenges, my commitment to the values that brought me to this point remains unshaken."
In the post, she thanks everyone who supported her, and hinted at a possible independent campaign.
"I am seriously considering running as an Independent, more on this will come soon if I decide to run," she said. "We need a candidate in this riding who is actually a Conservative and will fight for these communities, not self seeking opportunistic candidates who will run for whatever party approaches them.
She continued her criticism of the party: "I believe this Conservative Party of BC is no longer Conservative but running under the guise of the name Conservative. They have allowed many BC United (Liberal) candidates to infiltrate the party and have lost sight of the real Conservative values we as Conservatives hold dear. Your new Conservative candidate for this riding will more than likely be BC United Liberal opposition."
Weber was the focus of media attention recently when old Facebook posts surfaced in which she seemed to believe the idea that 5G cellular communications cause COVID-19 and were designed as a genocidal weapon.
She has expressed other unusual beliefs through social media in the past.
"Unfortunately, during my tenure, a few individuals resorted to misleading tactics, misrepresenting my intentions, and casting doubts on my character," she wrote on Facebook Monday. "It is disheartening that these actions have overshadowed the genuine passion and commitment I brought to my role. If given the opportunity, I believe those who engage with me directly would recognize the sincerity of my efforts and the depth of my dedication and heart. Not the lies that the media have helped spread."
After the announcement last week that BC United was out, Conservative Leader John Rustad told The Citizen that his party would assess each riding and determine which candidates, whether from the Conservatives or BC United would be selected to run this fall.
Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond announced she would not run again.
BC United MLA Mike Bernier (Peace River South) let constituents know Monday that he plans to run as an independent rather than join the BC Conservatives or step away.
Bernier announced his plans in an interview on radio station CKNW.
He posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Just a thought to all those messaging me asking me and others to run independent and give options back to the people in BC since options were taken away. I hear you. And I was loyal to the end. I didn’t leave my party - it left me."
Kiel Giddens had been BC United's candidate in Prince George-Mackenzie.
Shar McCrory, like Weber a School District 57 trustee, is the NDP's candidate in that electoral district.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
