# BC Conservatives leadership shakeup and seat hunt > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bc-conservative-leadership-funding-controversy > Updated: 2026-07-30T22:44:45.000Z. Sources: 86. Developments: 12. Kerry‑Lynne Findlay won BC Conservative Party leadership on May 30, 2026 and has been reorganising the caucus, appointing interim opposition leader Heather Maahs, house leader Sheldon Clare and establishing deputy, whip and regional lieutenant roles. The party announced a shadow cabinet on July 1 and held a retreat in Penticton to project a government‑in‑waiting image while discussions about a by‑election for Findlay’s seat continued. On July 30, executive director Angelo Isidorou announced his amicable departure, part of a broader turnover that also saw research director Dion Weisner, managing director Philip Dippenaar and field‑operations and fundraising directors exit. Findlay thanked Isidorou on X, reaffirmed continuity, and backed MLA Teresa Wat after an online attack. Findlay still lacks a seat in the provincial legislature. To enter, a sitting Conservative MLA must resign, triggering a byelection that the premier can delay up to six months, with voting required on a Saturday within 80 days of the chief election officer’s appointment. Three MLAs—Lynne Block, Rosalyn Bird and Ian Paton—have publicly refused to step down, meaning a byelection could be postponed for as long as a year. The party estimates that roughly half of its caucus staff have turned over since Findlay took office. The party continues to stress building community ties and earning voters’ trust while exploring options, including the possibility of asking Findlay’s husband, MLA Brent Chapman, to vacate his Surrey South seat. ## Claims - Kerry-Lynne Findlay was elected leader of the BC Conservative Party in May 2024. (corroborated by 24 sources) - Findlay aims to become premier and currently seeks a seat in the BC legislature. (corroborated by 19 sources) - To obtain a seat, Findlay needs a sitting MLA to resign, triggering a byelection. (corroborated by 19 sources) - MLAs Lynne Block, Rosalyn Bird and Ian Paton declined to step down for a byelection. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The premier can delay a byelection up to six months, and the election must be held on a Saturday no later than 80 days after the chief election officer’s appointment. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Angelo Isidorou, the executive director of the BC Conservatives, resigned on amicable terms. (single source) - Findlay issued a statement supporting MLA Teresa Wat after an apparent online attack. (single source) - Approximately 50 % of the BC Conservative caucus staff have turned over since Findlay became leader. (single source) - Dion Weisner was let go as director of research for the Conservative caucus in January 2025. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-30: BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay seeks seat as MLAs refuse to step down BC Conservative leader Kerry‑Lynne Findlay seeks a legislative seat; three MLAs have refused to resign, delaying a byelection. Party staff turnover is high, with executive director Angelo Isidorou resigning. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-conservatives-undergo-leadership-shakeup-as-executive-director-angelo-isidorou-resigns ### 2026-07-04: BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay touts party unity after Penticton retreat BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay declares party unity after a Penticton retreat, discusses MLA floor‑crossings, seeks a legislative seat, and calls for a western trade alliance. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-conservative-leader-kerry-lynne-findlay-touts-party-unity-after-penticton-retreat ### 2026-07-04: British Columbia Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay Calls for Party Unity After Penticton Retreat BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay says her party is united, outlines voter outreach, notes MLA defections, discusses pipeline routes and pushes for a western alliance. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-conservative-leader-kerry-lynne-findlay-calls-for-party-unity-after-penticton-retre ### 2026-07-04: BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay declares party unity after Penticton retreat BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay said her party of 38 MLAs is united after a Penticton retreat, pledging to engage voters, pursue a western alliance and support pipeline projects, while noting recent 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-conservative-leader-kerry-lynne-findlay-calls-for-party-unity-after-retreat ### 2026-07-04: BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay urges unity after caucus retreat BC Conservative leader Kerry‑Lynne Findlay declares party unity after a Penticton retreat, downplays an MLA's switch to the NDP, and calls for a western trade‑barrier‑free alliance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-conservative-leader-kerry-lynne-findlay-urges-unity-after-caucus-retreat ### 2026-07-03: Kerry-Lynne Findlay: BC Conservatives Unity Post-Penticton Retreat BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay declares party unity after a Penticton retreat, outlines plans to meet voters, mentions MLA floor‑crossings, and pushes for a western trade alliance and pipeline jobs. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerry-lynne-findlay-bc-conservatives-unity-post-penticton-retreat ### 2026-07-01: British Columbia Conservatives Retain Shadow Cabinet Positions Under New Leader BC Conservative leader Kerry‑Lynne Findlay kept most shadow cabinet critics, retaining Langley and Central Okanagan MLAs in key roles ahead of the next election. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-conservatives-retain-shadow-cabinet-positions-under-new-leader ### 2026-06-29: Kerry-Lynne Findlay appoints Heather Maahs as interim B.C. Conservative leader and installs loyalist team BC Conservative leader Kerry‑Lynne Findlay, still without a legislative seat, names Heather Maahs interim leader, installs Sheldon Clare as house leader and appoints a slate of loyalists, gearing the party to挑战 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-conservative-leader-kerry-lynne-findlay-appoints-loyalist-interim-leadership-team ### 2026-06-06: Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected leader of BC Conservative Party Kerry-Lynne Findlay won the BC Conservative Party leadership on May 30, earning 51% of votes in a preferential ballot after a contest with five candidates; she will seek a legislative seat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerry-lynne-findlay-elected-leader-of-bc-conservative-party ### 2026-05-31: Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected leader of BC Conservative Party Kerry‑Lynne Findlay won the BC Conservative Party leadership on May 30, 2026, beating Caroline Elliott 51‑49% after four ballot rounds; she must win a byelection to sit as MLA. 43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerry-lynne-findlay-elected-leader-of-british-columbia-conservative-party ### 2026-05-25: Kerry-Lynne Findlay leaves press conference amid election funding allegations BC Conservative leadership hopeful Kerry‑Lynne Findlay held a May 25 press conference to address alleged illegal campaign funding, denied any investigation, and left after refusing questions, exiting in a black 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-conservative-leadership-candidate-kerry-lynne-findlay-abandons-press-conference-amid-election-fun ### 2026-05-22: Kerry‑Lynne Findlay Remains Candidate in BC Conservative Leadership Race Amid Election Probe Kerry‑Lynne Findlay remains on the BC Conservative leadership ballot after the party says there’s insufficient evidence to disqualify her despite a federal election‑investigation probe. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerry-lynne-findlay-cleared-to-stay-on-bc-conservative-leadership-ballot --- Cite as: BC Conservatives leadership shakeup and seat hunt. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bc-conservative-leadership-funding-controversy