The University of B.C. professor who was likely to be chosen COPE鈥檚 mayoral candidate suffered a stroke Tuesday in his home state of Massachusetts and will not be able to continue his campaign.
Patrick Condon, who is in his 60s, announced the surprising news Friday morning in a Facebook post.
鈥淥n Tuesday, I was hospitalized with a stroke while visiting the United States,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淚 have been advised by doctors that I need to concentrate my efforts fully on recovery. Therefore, because I鈥檓 not able to dedicate my full capability to the party as it readies itself for the upcoming election, I must end my nomination campaign as a mayoral candidate for COPE.鈥�
Condon is the third candidate in this year鈥檚 civic campaign to leave the race because of an illness.
Vision 麻豆传媒映画mayoral hopeful Taleeb Noormohamed suffered 鈥渁 sudden cardiac event鈥� in May, forcing him from competing against Squamish Nation hereditary chief Ian Campbell, who was acclaimed as the party鈥檚 mayoral candidate.
Last week, longtime Vision school trustee Ken Clement resigned from school board and announced he will not seek re-election this year because of an illness.
Condon was to compete Aug. 19 to become COPE鈥檚 mayoral candidate. Many in the party supported his bid and he was likely to be acclaimed since no other high-profile candidates had stepped forward to compete for the nomination.
In his post, the urban design professor said he felt his background in academic research, particularly his 鈥渉ands-on experience鈥� with other jurisdictions on affordable housing projects and efficient public transit systems was a good fit with COPE, a party with a 50-year history 鈥渇or seeking a just and sustainable city.鈥�
Meena Wong, Condon鈥檚 campaign manager, posted on Facebook that it was 鈥渁 heavy blow鈥� to have Condon leave the race. Wong, who ran as COPE鈥檚 mayoral candidate in the 2014 election, said she joined Condon鈥檚 campaign because he was 鈥渁 can do person.鈥�
鈥淗is belief of building a just, fair and sustainable Vancouver, where everyone can afford and enjoy to live and work, resonates with mine,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur team of dedicated volunteers and supporters are devastated by the news of his sudden illness. We wish him a speedy and full recovery.鈥�
Connie Hubbs, co-chairperson of COPE, said Friday she was in 鈥渁 state of shock鈥� after hearing of Condon鈥檚 stroke. Her understanding was Condon was in Massachusetts to visit family and help care for a family member who was ill.
鈥淗e seemed like a healthy guy, so it just shows you from moment to moment what can happen,鈥� she said, noting Condon was unable to travel. 鈥淚t鈥檚 shocking news and we just want to be very supportive of him and his family, and give them the peace that they need.鈥�
As for party business, Hubbs acknowledged Condon was the 鈥減resumptive nominee鈥� for the party but noted he still had to win or be acclaimed Aug. 19. She said COPE members now have three choices: to not run a mayoral candidate; endorse an independent candidate; or support another COPE member to run for mayor.
鈥淵ou may well see people come forward,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he people that might not have wanted to run against Patrick, might run now that he鈥檚 not there. But time will tell.鈥�
Condon, who was born in Massachusetts and moved to 麻豆传媒映画in 1992, said in announcing his campaign in early June that he wanted to be the Bernie Sanders of this year鈥檚 race; Sanders was one of the presidential nominees for the Democrats in the last U.S. election and his message of providing affordable housing, health care and child care resonated with millions of Americans, particularly the younger generation.
Condon promised to run on a platform that answered to the anxiety, struggle and poverty of many Vancouverites living in an unaffordable city.
鈥溌槎勾接郴璶eeds real affordable housing for the most vulnerable, for working people and for young people and seniors鈥攃learly, they are amongst the forgotten when it comes to our current crop of politicians,鈥� he wrote in Friday鈥檚 post, reiterating an earlier statement to develop 50 per cent non-market housing. 鈥淚 look forward to making a full recovery. I am determined to keep speaking out and will lend support to see that these objectives become reality in the city of Vancouver.鈥�
The election is Oct. 20.
@Howellings
