VANCOUVER - A powerful behind-the-scenes member of B.C.'s Liberal party is stepping into the spotlight by winning the Liberal nomination in the Vancouver-Quilchena riding.

Former party president and deputy minister Andrew Wilkinson will replace 17-year veteran Colin Hansen who is not seeking re-election.

Wilkinson defeated former Vancouver councillor and mayoral candidate Suzanne Anton at a nomination meeting held Sunday.

The lawyer and licenced physician says he's excited to help Premier Christy Clark carry out her vision.

He says the Liberals have a renewed team, a strong leader and momentum on their side.

The province goes to the polls on May 14.

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  • Ron Cantelon

    The MLA for Parksville-Qualicum was re-elected in 2009 and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Technology in September 2012.

  • John Slater

    John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, was elected in 2009. In January 2013, he announced he was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/14/john-slater-quits-bc-liberals-boundary-similkameen_n_2474761.html?1358201798">leaving the B.C. Liberal caucus to sit as an Independent</a> after the party refused to approve his candidacy to run again.

  • Blair Lekstrom

    The Liberal MLA for Peace River South was first elected in 2001. Since 2011, he has served as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

  • Colin Hansen

    The MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena was elected in 1996, 2001, 2005 and 2009.

  • George Abbott

    The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/08/30/george-abbott-mary-mcneil-john-les-resign-liberals_n_1844026.html" target="_hplink">Liberal MLA for Shuswap</a> was first elected in 1996. A member of the Priorities and Planning Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Families First, Abbott was appointed the Minister of Education in 2010.

  • Rob Howard

    The Liberal MLA for Richmond Centre was elected in 2009. He cited "personal reasons" for not running again.

  • John Les

    The <a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.ca%2F2012%2F08%2F30%2Fjohn-les-resigns-liberals_n_1843238.html&ei=_EFGULrjHIrM9QSVqIGQBQ&usg=AFQjCNGhfOlOO6ZJqZ4ko1aVyKTXSYiNTg" target="_hplink">Liberal MLA for Chilliwack</a> was first elected in 2001. He served as parliamentary secretary, Minister of Small Business and Economic Development and Public Safety and Solicitor General.

  • Mary McNeil

    The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/08/30/george-abbott-mary-mcneil-john-les-resign-liberals_n_1844026.html" target="_hplink">Liberal MLA for Vancouver-False Creek</a> was first elected in 2009. In 2011, she was appointed Minister for Children and Family Development.

  • Kevin Falcon

    The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/08/29/kevin-falcon-quits-bc-finance_n_1840174.html" target="_hplink">Liberal MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale</a> was first elected in 2001. He has served as ministers of finance, health and transportation.

  • Dave Hayer

    The Liberal MLA for Surrey-Tynehead was first elected in 2001. He served on the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

  • Joan McIntyre

    The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/04/rich-coleman-joan-mcintyre_n_1854981.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-british-columbia" target="_hplink">Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky</a>, who was first elected in 2005, said she always planned to serve no more than two terms.

  • Harry Bloy

    The Liberal MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed was first elected in 2001. He was the only member of the B.C. Liberal caucus to support Christy Clark's bid for the party leadership. He served as Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism.

  • Kash Heed

    The Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview was first elected in 2009. He served as minister of public safety and solicitor general.

  • Murray Coell

    The Liberal MLA for Saanich North and the Islands was first elected in 2001. He has headed the ministries of labour, environment and advanced education.

  • Kevin Krueger

    The Liberal MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson was first elected in 1996. He served as Minister of State for Mining, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister of Community Development.

  • Bill Barisoff

    The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/08/20/bill-barisoff-penticton-mla-quits_n_1811456.html" target="_hplink">Liberal MLA for Penticton</a> was first elected in 1996. In 2005 he was named Speaker of the B.C. Legislature.

  • Gary Coons

    The North Coast NDP MLA was first elected in 2005, and again in 2009.

  • Dawn Black

    The NDP MLA of New Westminster was elected in 2009.

  • Michael Sather

    The NDP MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows was elected in 2005 and 2009. He was the Opposition critic for fisheries.

  • Randy Hawes

    The MLA for Abbotsford-Mission was first elected in 2001, and again in the 2005 and 2009 elections.

  • Diane Thorne

    The NDP MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville was elected in 2005 and again in 2009. She was the deputy opposition critic for education.

  • Guy Gentner

    The NDP MLA for Delta North was elected in 2005 and 2009.