SKEENA NDP MLA Robin Austin is to endorse federal leadership candidate Nathan Cullen.
Austin will announce his endorsement of the Skeena - Bulkley Valley Member of Parliament's campaign for the leadership of the federal NDP at an event in Terrace tomorrow.
“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 reelected 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 eleciton is widely credited with propelling the federal NDP to opposition status.