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The popular politician, who handily won the newly-formed Vancouver Granville riding for the Liberals in 2015, was then courted by the federal NDP and Greens but revealed last week that she would be running as an Independent.

“I can only really speak for myself, but the reason I left was triggered by her announcement that she would be running as an Independent,” said Turner, adding nine of the riding association’s 15-person board had resigned.

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He said board chair Claire Marshall was among that group and that she too would be joining the new Wilson-Raybould campaign, adding the sudden resignations were “highly unusual, particularly in an election year. To have that many leave at once is not a normal thing.”

Turner said most people joined the Liberals’ Vancouver Granville riding association in the summer of 2014, shortly after Wilson-Raybould was acclaimed as candidate.

“A lot of people, since she made her announcement, have sent their name to (Wilson-Raybould) and to Claire (Marshall) wanting to get involved,” he said. “There’s great loyalty and great enthusiasm there.”