Tories reject former B.C. cabinet minister Mike de Jong as federal election candidate
De Jong served as an MLA for more than 30 years and held several ministerial positions
Mike de Jong, one of B.C.'s longest-serving MLAS, says the federal Conservative Party has rejected him as a candidate in the upcoming election.
In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, de Jong said he had been "informally advised" of the decision Monday evening and called it disappointing.
"It is difficult to comprehend how I would not be deemed worthy of having my name on the ballot," de Jong said in the statement.
De Jong served as an MLA for the B.C. United party — formerly the B.C. Liberals— for more than 30 years.
He has served in several ministerial positions throughout his political career, including as minister of finance, minister of health, and attorney general, among others.
He has also served as the government House leader.
De Jong announced he was seeking the federal Conservative nomination in Abbotsford-South Langley last April.
He said the news he would not be a candidate came to him "after nearly a year of campaigning to represent the riding as the Conservative candidate."
CBC has contacted the Conservative Party for comment.