Despite party leader Kevin Falcon calling it quits for B.C. United, one candidate is not throwing in the towel just yet. 

Tracy St. Claire, the executive director of the South Okanagan Division of Family Practice, is staying in the race for the Penticton-Summerland riding, she announced on Sept. 19. 

"I've been hearing from countless people in our community who tell me they want another option on the ballot for our election," St. Claire said. 

St. Claire was the first candidate to declare for the riding after current B.C. United MLA Dan Ashton announced he would not seek another term. Ashton later announced he was seeking the federal Conservative candidacy to replace federal NDP MP Richard Cannings. 

Although he wasn't able to attend St. Claire's Sept. 19 announcement, Ashton sent along his endorsement of St. Claire to succeed him as MLA for the riding. 

"'In my opinion what counts are past provincial service, actual local school board and medical health accomplishments, combined with an ability to work and communicate with everyone makes a real difference. Tracy St. Claire has all those attributes and many more,'" St. Claire said as she read out Ashton's endorsement. 

Former MLA Rick Thorpe was at the press conference to give his support, as well as former BC United-now-Independent Kelowna-Mission candidate Ashley Ramsey.

St. Claire, along with all of the other Okanagan B.C. United candidates, had been caught off guard by Falcon's announcement that the party was pulling all of its candidate endorsements in a deal with the B.C. Conservatives.

Despite promises being made by Rustad that there would be a process to select candidates following the deal, and questions about whether Rustad would be willing to go with a B.C. United candidate over an already announced B.C. Conservative candidate, St. Claire said that her efforts to offer herself as a candidate were met with silence. 

Hearing nothing from Rustad and with the party backing Amelia Boutlbee as its candidate, St. Claire continued to hear from members of the community, which led to her decision to stay in the race. 

Asked how she felt about running without a party backing her, St. Claire said that the most important thing for voters is which individual they feel will best represent them.

"I think that that goes beyond parties. I don't think the parties have a monopoly on policy. I don't think parties have the monopoly on votes," said St. Claire. 

St. Claire promised to be a more centrist option, with a focus on ensuring people in the riding have the healthcare they need and feel safe in their communities. 

Elections BC has settled on putting St. Claire down as unaffiliated on the ballots, which will be distinct from those who are running as independents. 

With St. Claire still in the running, there will be at least four names on the ballot come Oct. 19, alongside St. Claire including, Tina Lee for the BC NDP, Amelia Boultbee for the B.C. Conservatives, B.C. Green candidate Bradley Bartsch and independent Dr. Roger Harrington.