Rustad not running for B.C. Conservatives leadership

John Rustad will not be going after his old job.

On X yesterday (Sunday) the Nechako Lakes MLA issued a statement, saying he will not be entering the leadership race for the B.C. Conservatives.

“This decision is not about the importance of the moment we are in. It is exactly because this moment matters that I am making it,” he said.

“British Columbia needs a Conservative Party that is united, focused, and ready to form government. The best thing I can do for the party, and ultimately the province, is to support the next leader and help ensure we come out of this process stronger, not divided.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2026
Victoria, British Columbia

STATEMENT FROM JOHN RUSTAD

First, I want to thank my wife. She has been my rock through all of this. She has carried the weight that public life puts on a family, and she has done it with steady strength,… pic.twitter.com/QcrqWqApmN

— John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC) February 15, 2026

Rustad became the leader of the party in 2023, joining the party after sitting as an Independent after he was ousted from the B.C. Liberals over social media posts on climate change.

Rustad officially stepped down as the leader of the B.C. Conservatives in December, after a letter signed by 20 MLAs called for Rustad to step down.

Rumours about another run for the leadership job swirled after reporter Rob Shaw said on X Rustad had requested and received a leadership application from the party.

In response, he just said “no comment” in a post on X.