She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly as a member of the British Columbia Liberal Party in the 2001 provincial election for the riding of Surrey-Whalley. Brenzinger defeated cabinet minister and long time NDP MLA, Joan Smallwood, winning 45.73 percent of the vote.[1] Aside from Brenzinger's term in office, Surrey-Whalley has been a predominantly NDP riding.[2]
She resigned from the Liberal caucus to sit as an independent in March 2004 because of a dispute with the party leadership, including over concerns with the sale of BC Rail to CN.[3][4] She claimed then-premier and party leader Gordon Campbell humiliated her at a caucus meeting in 2003, cursing and yelling at her.[5]
In March 2004, following her departure from the party, she made public allegations of improper conduct against liberal MLA Richard Stewart, claiming he had groped her at a night club in Victoria.[6][7] Stewart was suspended from office,[8] though Brenzinger later retracted the allegations and issued a formal apology.[9][10][11] Stewart retracted his defamation lawsuit after the apology.[12]
She was a key force in the creation of the Democratic Reform BC party, which was officially founded on January 15, 2005, and became its first MLA four days later.[11]
On May 17, 2005, Brenzinger was defeated by New Democratic candidate Bruce Ralston in her Surrey-Whalley riding.
B.C. General Election 2001: Surrey-Whalley
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
Expenditures |
|
Liberal | Elayne Brenzinger | 6,693 | 45.73% | | $53,614 |
| |
NDP |
Joan Smallwood |
4,536 |
30.99% |
|
$42,735 |
|
Green | Terry McComas | 1,652 | 11.28% | – | $100 |
|
Unity | John A. Conway | 838 | 5.73% | | $2,880 |
|
Marijuana | Khalid Damien Arnaout | 544 | 3.72% | | $394 |
|
Reform | Mike Runté | 374 | 2.55% | | $7,957 |
| Total valid votes |
14,637 | 100.00% |
| Total rejected ballots |
85 | 0.58% |
| Turnout |
14,722 | 66.79% |
