CIVIC ELECTION – Slate of four hopefuls unveiled for coming campaign

A slate of four candidates added itself to the Kamloops civic election fray today (May 14, 2026).

As announced earlier, it’s headed up by mayoralty hopeful Nelly Dever, who will run alongside Kathrine Blair Wunderlich, Dennis Giesbrecht and Randy Sunderman.

All are known within Kamloops political circles, although Dever is the only one with previous civic experience, having served a term as councillor a dozen years ago. Wunderlich has been active in the Kamloops Citizens United group, and Giesbrecht has run unsuccessfully at both the provincial and civic levels, as had Sunderman.

The group will be known as Privot Kamloops, though an earlier news advisory referred to “Team Kamloops.”

Dever said it will be non-partisan, quashing rumours that it might be associated with a plan by the BC Conservatives to get involved at the municipal level. The four candidates ceremonially signed a “Pivot Kamloops Pledge” that includes civility, transparency, financial discipline and community safety.

“We aren’t just making promises,” Dever told the 40 or so people in attendance at the announcement under the Jenn Casey memorial at the airport. “We’re following a roadmap to get Kamloops back on track.”

She told media the four candidates will not necessarily vote as a bloc if all are elected, but they share similar views on key issues. One of those issues is the current dysfunction at City Hall.

Sunderman said his main focus will be on the local economy, Giesbrecht’s priority will be policing and public safety, and Wunderlich — referencing her opposition to the use of the alternative approval process for the performing arts centre — said her concern is transparency and proper communication with electors, as well as supporting seniors.

Asked about her personal priority, Dever answered, “public-private partnerships” because they save taxpayers money.

When a reporter pressed her for a clear answer on her position with respect to the performing arts centre, she was equivocal. Dever, who led a PAC Not Now opposition in a referendum several years ago, said the team would look at the current project and decide if changes are needed but emphasized it wasn’t about ditching it.

Sunderman stepped up and said the public would be consulted to get input on “different perspectives.”

Today’s announcement brings the number of candidates for mayor to three, including Dever, incumbent Reid Hamer-Jackson, and councillor Mike O’Reilly. The number of candidates for councillor is approaching a dozen.

— Mel Rothenburger.