Number of candidates running for leader of B.C. Conservatives has shrunk to 5

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad leaves the house following question period at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

The number of candidates running to replace John Rustad as leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. has shrunk to five.

Contractor Warren Hamm of Rossland, B.C., says he has dropped out of the race and now supports entrepreneur and philanthropist Yuri Fulmer.

Hamm says Fulmer is a “true conservative” and the only candidate who can unite the right while protecting the party from a “liberal takeover” and “becoming B.C. United 2.0.”

Fulmer says he welcomes Hamm’s endorsement and his decision to join his team, adding that Hamm advocated for “common sense” conservatism and a government that respects taxpayers.

Also still in the race are MLA Peter Milobar, commentator Caroline Elliott, former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black and former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Hamm was the first candidate to declare his run for the party’s leadership, following Rustad’s ouster in December, in a race that eventually attracted 11 declared candidates.

He was one of nine candidates to make the party’s first official cut, and stayed in the race longer than four sitting MLAs and former Pattison executive Darrell Jones.

Hamm’s announcement comes just before April 18, the cutoff date to sign up new members and the deadline to pay the final $60,000 instalment to stay in the race.

The party will start to distribute voting ballots no later than May 9, and the winner will be announced on May 30 at the party’s leadership convention.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2026.