B.C. NDP race too close to call

Veteran political observers say the B.C. NDP leadership race which will be decided this weekend is still too close to call.

Party members must choose one of four remaining candidates MLAs Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth and John Horgan or marijuana activist Dana Larsen.

Dix and Farnworth were the early leaders, but Horgan appears to have momentum in the late stages of the contest.

MLA Nicholas Simons quit the race ten days ago, throwing his support to Horgan.

"It still looks like we have a three way race," political analyst and former MLA David Schreck said Friday. "John Horgan, Adrian Dix or Mike Farnworth ... any one of them could emerge as leader."

Larsen a possible factor

Even Dana Larsen may be a factor in the outcome, said Schreck.

"His role will be whether he has captured enough votes and recruited enough new members so that his second preference endorsement of John Horgan could push Horgan into being one of the two finalists."

Party members have been voting all week, either online or by phone and many willgather Sunday in Vancouver for the leadership assembly.

Officials hope to be able to announce the winner by 6:10 p.m. PT.

The leadership race was prompted by a revolt by about one-third of the NDP caucus against leader Carole James, who resigned in early December.

None of the three front-runners in the leadership race was among the dissident faction that brought about James's ouster.