Image: Conservative Party of B.C. / Michael Geoghegan, an MLA candidate in this year's provincial election for the Conservative Party of B.C., has dropped out from consideration in the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding due to health issues, the party confirmed Thursday morning. Geoghegan would have faced off against incumbent MLA Kelli Paddon.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding candidate drops out from this year’s provincial election

Feb 22, 2024 | 9:51 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Conservative Party of British Columbia says its MLA candidate for the newly named Chilliwack-Cultus Lake candidate has dropped out.

Angelo Isidorou, executive director of the up and coming Conservative Party of B.C., confirmed in an email Thursday morning that Michael Geoghegan has encountered some health issues that led to his withdrawal from this year’s provincial election.

“This is correct. Michael has had some health issues arise that meant he could no longer serve as a candidate,” Isidorou said in an email to Fraser Valley Today.

A new nomination is underway and will conclude in the next few weeks.

Geoghegan had been involved as a consultant with a Chilliwack-area First Nations band and other First Nations bands over the past 25 years. Geoghegan is a father of two adult children who has worked in public service for much of his life. He says he fostered a deeper connection with Chilliwack by working intermittently as a consultant with the Sto:lo Nation.

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Geoghegan spent his formative years in the British Columbia interior, growing up in communities like Princeton, Keremeos, Penticton, and Kelowna. After graduating from high school, he attended Okanagan College in Kelowna and later pursued a B.A. in Economics from the University of Victoria.

Following his academic stints, Geoghegan pursued a career in public service, starting at the B.C. legislature as a research officer. He then served for almost five years as a ministerial assistant, including chief of staff, to cabinet minister Bill Barlee, managing portfolios such as agriculture, fisheries and food, and later, small business, tourism, and culture.

After his tenure in politics, Michael worked as a government relations consultant, where he achieved several notable accomplishments. These include implementing an apprenticeship training tax credit, facilitating a significant settlement for the Okanagan Indian Band, increasing funding and operating hours for public MRIs in B.C., and aiding Seaspan in securing a contract vital to the west coast shipbuilding industry.

While living in Victoria, Geoghegan became a familiar voice on CFAX radio and CTV News as a weekly guest. In 2018, he ran for mayor of Victoria, earning the endorsement of Grammy award-winning musician David Foster and finishing third out of five candidates, the highest for an independent candidate. Seeking a community aligned more with his conservative stance, he relocated to Chilliwack where he has since been dedicated to the area’s development.