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B.C. Liberal MLAs and political observers alike expressed surprise Friday at the news of former premier Christy Clark’s resignation, a move that opens the door to a wide field of competition for the party’s leadership.

The B.C. Liberal constitution requires party president Sharon White to call a meeting of the party executive within the next 28 days to set a date and plan for a leadership vote. Details of the leadership race will be determined by the party executive and shared with the public in the coming weeks, said a statement issued Friday by White.

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That leadership race could feature several possible contenders, observers said, including well-known names from the party’s current caucus and its past, as well as other levels of government.

Mike de Jong, a seven-term B.C. Liberal MLA, declined to say Friday whether he would seek the party leadership, but told Postmedia News that both the province and the party are in good shape today, “and both of those things are a tribute to Christy Clark — I expect there will be a lot of competition to replace her.”