Then there were four.
Two candidates have withdrawn from the race to represent Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee in the federal election.
Independent candidate Korry Zepik and People Party of Canada's Arsh Dhillon have dropped out.
Zepik said the decision was "not for lack of enthusiasm for my vision of a progressive and united Canada, or for any failure of the principle of ethical, intelligent decision making, but because of them."
He explained he felt it was "neither wise nor ethical" to maintain his candidacy and split the vote with the Liberal Party of Canada.
Zepik said the political situation in the riding was different when he committed to running as an Independent three weeks ago, before the current list of candidates had emerged, and he's now withdrawing his name because "a formidable and honourable candidate has arrived from the Liberal Party," that being Anna Warwick Sears.
"I respect Anna Warwick Sears as an astute, principled person and recommend that the NDP and Green parties follow my example," Zepik said while evoking the "danger" the current U.S. administration poses to Canada.
"Our country is under its greatest threat since 1812 and Canada as a free country will only survive if we stick together, in unity," he said. "Now is not the time to flirt with the bully or we will lose our way and our government will become a proxy for a thug. Nor is it time to threaten and blackmail voters with divisive threats and mean spirited provocations."
Zepik put out a call for people to join together through "this unprecedented crisis, not just to protect our country and ourselves, but also to work to build a stronger, more self-reliant and equitable nation for the future."
Zepik encouraged residents to vote in the April 28 election.
The number of candidates in the riding that have been confirmed by Elections Canada is now down to four. Those candidates are Warwick Sears (Liberal), Scott Anderson (Conservative), Leah Ellen Main (NDP) and Blair Visscher (Green).
The People's Party of Canada confirmed to The Morning Star Tuesday that its former candidate, Dhillon, is no longer running in the riding.
Complete lists of confirmed candidates will be released Wednesday, April 9.
