It is going to be a crazy election fight this year in Surrey if Barinder Rasode keeps going with her bid for mayor. She has got some heavyweights with her, including Mark Marissen (very experienced hand at rounding up the Indo vote for the federal Liberals), Jatinder Rai and, I hear, a veteran Conservative campaigner who worked on Christy Clark’s campaign.
The involvement of such high-caliber political operatives signals that Surrey’s mayoral race is being taken seriously at the provincial and federal levels. Marissen, in particular, brings decades of experience in organizing complex multicultural campaigns and has deep connections within the Indo-Canadian community that makes up a significant portion of Surrey’s electorate.
Rasode’s campaign represents a potential shift in Surrey’s political landscape. As a former councillor who broke ranks with Surrey First, she’s positioning herself as an alternative to the establishment while still maintaining credibility with business and development interests. Her ability to attract top-tier campaign talent suggests she’s viewed as a serious contender who could disrupt the Surrey First dynasty.
Then, as we saw this week, Linda Hepner and Surrey First came out with a new team, plus their own set of heavy-hitting campaigners: Stew Braddick and Mike Witherly. Also, as I tweeted out on the day of the announcement, Patrick Kinsella is in the mix. Observers pointed out to me that my picture of Patrick also included Prem Vinning.
The Surrey First machine’s response demonstrates they’re not taking this challenge lightly. Braddick and Witherly are veteran campaigners with extensive experience in municipal politics, while Kinsella’s involvement brings provincial-level strategic expertise. The presence of these political heavyweights suggests Surrey First recognizes that Hepner, despite her long service as a councillor, will need significant support to maintain the party’s grip on power.
The financial implications of this campaign escalation are substantial. With multiple teams of expensive political consultants now involved, the 2014 Surrey mayoral race is shaping up to be one of the most costly municipal campaigns in BC history. This professionalization of what was once a more grassroots political process reflects Surrey’s growing importance as BC’s second-largest city.
Needless to say, Mayor Dianne Watts made a point of boosting the Linda Hepner/Surrey First campaign with an unequivocal endorsement.
Watts’ endorsement carries enormous weight in Surrey politics. Her popularity and the city’s rapid growth under her leadership have made her a formidable political brand. However, her transition to federal politics also creates uncertainty about whether her endorsement will translate into votes, or if voters might be ready for a change after years of Surrey First dominance.
The timing of these campaign announcements, months before the official election period, indicates all sides recognize this will be a lengthy, expensive battle. The early organization suggests sophisticated voter identification and mobilization efforts are already underway, particularly important given Surrey’s diverse demographics and historically lower voter turnout rates.
I’ve also just heard that former mayor Doug McCallum is planning to announce a run sometime in early July.
McCallum’s potential re-entry would completely reshape the race dynamics. As Surrey’s longest-serving mayor, he brings name recognition and a track record that predates the Surrey First era. His previous focus on controlled growth and fiscal conservatism could appeal to voters concerned about rapid development and rising property taxes. A three-way race would likely benefit whichever candidate can best consolidate their base while appealing to swing voters.
The prospect of McCallum’s return also raises questions about vote splitting and coalition building. His presence could force both Hepner and Rasode to recalibrate their strategies and potentially drive them toward more polarized positions to differentiate themselves in a crowded field.
My Globe story on Hepner’s announcement is here. Kelly Sinoski at the Vancouver Sun was also present and, if you can get past the paywall to read it, her story with details I didn’t have is here.
