David Eby launches campaign for leadership of the B.C. NDP

Attorney General David Ebyhas announced he will be running for leadership of the B.C. NDP.

The announcement endedweeks of speculation over who might replace John Horgan as party leader and premier of British Columbia, sinceother high-profile New Democrats have bowed out of this fall's leadership election.

Eby is widely viewed as the frontrunner and so far the only candidate in the running for the Dec. 3 decision.

In announcing his leadership bid on Tuesday,Ebytold supporters at the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House in Vancouver thatmore housing, affordable childcare and family doctors are needed for communities.

"Building public housing for middle-class families was something government never had to do when I was growing up,'' he said, adding that's needed because pressures in the housing market are pushing people onto the street.

One-horse race?

In late June, Horgan announced he would step downbefore the next provincial election, scheduled for 2024.

He cited a lack of energy after enduring treatment for throat cancer, which he says left himcancer free.

Horgan's coming departure set off speculation aboutwho would take the reins of his party and government next.

Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon was expected to seek the job but two weeks ago said he would not and publicly urged his cabinet colleague Eby to seek it instead.

Finance Minister Selina Robinson has said she won't run, as hasHealth Minister Adrian Dix.

Lands Minister Josie Osborne, Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen,Tourism Minister Melanie Mark,Minister of State for Infrastructure Bowinn Ma and Minister of State for Childcare Katrina Chen have all said they won't run, either.

Ebyplans to tour B.C.

Eby, who was born in Kitchener, Ont., and will turn 46 on Thursday, said he strongly urged Horgan to run for the party's leadership in 2013 and co-chaired his campaign after the NDP's tough election loss to the B.C. Liberal Party that year.

Eby won his Vancouver-Point Grey riding in 2013 over then-premier Christy Clark, forcing her to run in a byelection in Kelowna.

The timing for his chance at the premier's job wasn't right then,Ebysaid, adding: "Iwas just recently elected. I didn't even know where the bathrooms were in the legislature. My wife and I were expecting, and she was in school.''

Now, he represents a "generational shift'' in the legislature,Ebysaid.

"I think if I'm successful, I'll represent a new generation of leaders in British Columbia. I've got a young family and will be able to bring that experience to the legislature with me.''

He plans to spend the next two months touring the province with his wife Cailey Lynch, who is afamily physician, andtheir eight-year-old son Ezra and two-year-old daughter Iva.