An already crowded race is a little more so.
Business lawyer Tako van Popta has become the newest hopeful declaring his candidacy as a Conservative Party of Canada nominee in the new federal riding of Cloverdale-Langley City.
Five others have already set their sights on the party’s nomination in the new riding, created through a federal boundary redistribution that will be in effect for the fall 2015 federal election.
The others are: Paul Brar, who manages a Newton banquet hall; former Langley City councillor Dean Drysdale; former Liberal MLA Dave Hayer; Mike Garisto, a Cloverdale life insurance salesman; and former Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal.
The candidate nominating contest in Cloverdale-Langley City is rumoured to be expected this fall, but no formal announcement has been made. Calls by The Cloverdale Reporter to the Conservative Party of Canada’s media line in Alberta were not answered by press time.
Van Popta made the announcement Sept. 24, saying he’s a long-time party member who has stepped down as president of the Langley Conservative Electoral District Association to run in the nomination.
“We are fortunate in Langley City to have been very well represented by Member of Parliament Mark Warawa since 2004,” he said in a statement.
“I want to ensure that the same legacy of integrity, passion and commitment continues as the new Cloverdale-Langley City riding seeks representation.”
His bio says he was raised in Cloverdale and Langley City, attending high school at Cloverdale Junior Secondary, and graduating from Langley Senior Secondary.
“It would be a dream come true for me to represent my home community in the House of Commons,” van Popta said.
He earned a law degree after working as an electrician for 10 years and holds an undergraduate degree from Trinity Western University.
He says the riding is one of the fastest-growing areas of the country.
“Managing that growth – with proper infrastructure – transportation, schools, access to healthcare, etc., is very important to keep our community thriving,” he said. “At the same time, we care about ensuring that our ‘small town values’ stay intact.”
An avid cyclist, van Popta is managing partner at McQuarrie Hunter LLP, a law firm in Surrey. He’s been married to his wife, Inga, for 40 years, and they have five children.
Langley resident John Aldag, who works for Parks Canada, is the Liberal Party of Canada’s candidate in Cloverdale-Langley City.
Previous stories:
"Cloverdale man to enter Conservative race," Sept. 25, 2013
"Dean Drysdale joins Conservative nomination race," Jan. 22, 2014
"Former MP to seek Conservative nomination in new riding," Nov. 26, 2013
"Paul Brar second to seek nomination in Cloverdale-West Langley," July 18, 2013Follow the Cloverdale Reporter on 
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