Banman Drops Out, Endorses Yuri Fulmer in BC Conservative Leadership Race

Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman has withdrawn from the BC Conservative leadership race and is now endorsing candidate Yuri Fulmer, announcing he will serve as Fulmer's campaign co-chair.

Banman made the announcement on Sunday, March 15, saying the decision came after "careful consideration of what the party needs to win and what British Columbia needs in the years ahead."

"Yuri is the real deal. He's a true conservative who understands exactly what it is going to take to get our province back on track," Banman said. "The next premier will have a tough job ahead of them to kickstart our economy and get B.C. working again after years of failed policies and mismanagement from David Eby and the NDP. Yuri is the only candidate with a proven track record in the private sector who understands business, the economy and real leadership."

Banman added that the Conservatives need a "fresh face who can inject new energy" into the party heading into the next provincial election.

Fulmer, the chancellor of Capilano University in North Vancouver and a businessman who narrowly lost the 2024 provincial election in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, expressed gratitude for the endorsement.

"Bruce was instrumental in raising the profile of the B.C. Conservatives and securing Official Party status in the legislature," Fulmer said. "He has contributed so much to this movement, and I'm honoured that he'll be joining our team to help protect our party and build a better B.C."

Banman has been the Abbotsford South MLA since 2020, previously serving as mayor of Abbotsford from 2011 to 2014. He joined the Conservatives from BC United in September 2023.

The BC Conservative leadership vote is scheduled for May 30, 2026. Seven candidates remain in the race following Banman's withdrawal.