John Horgan enters B.C. NDP leadership race

"Its time to pull together as New Democrats and take the fight to the B.C. Liberals,"Horgan told those gathered at his campaign launch event Monday night in Victoria.

"Under my leadership, the NDP will present voters with a credible, pragmatic alternative to a government that has ignored the needs and interests of British Columbians for far too long."

Fellow NDP MLAs Maurine Karagianis and Scott Fraser were among the estimated 200 people attending the launch.

Horgan, the opposition energy critic, is a supporter of departing leader Carole James, who announced she would quit after 13 caucus members staged an internal revolt.

Two of the dissidents, Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali and Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons have already announced they will seek James' job.

Marijuana activist Dana Larsen was the first to jump into the race.

Other potential candidates include MLA's Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth. Both are James supporters.

The NDP leadership convention is scheduled for April 17, with party rules setting Jan. 17 as the deadline for leadership hopefuls to sign up new members.