VIDEO: Conservative candidate expects a tough campaign in Kelowna Centre

The new riding of Kelowna Centre promises to be interesting to watch as the provincial election approaches.

And it's not just the riding that's new on the political scene, so are the candidates.

For the newly re-invented BC Conservatives, it's realtor Kristina Loewen.

"My interest in politics started over the last four or five years," said Loewen, "when I saw a lot of what I believe to be government overreach."

She brought up property rights, which have been impacted by efforts by the NDP Government to address the housing crisis.

"I think a lot of people are feeling that pinch right now with short-term rentals and the changes going on there," said Loewen.

"It feels definitely like overreach to a lot of us realtors."

She was also motivated by BC's response to COVID-19 and how that impacted individual rights.

"The Conservatives are against the mandates and they do want to hire back the nurses."

Loewen is referencing BC nurses who lost their jobs over vaccine requirements.

She is critical of the current government for its ongoing enforcement of that requirement.

"One of my best friends was fired about two weeks ago," said Loewen.

"She was still given the opportunity to take a vaccine for COVID as of February 19," she explained.

"She chose not to and she was not hired back."

As for current efforts to help people into tiny homes and group housing in Kelowna, Loewen suggests we need more support for plans such as this to work.

"I think it's all coming from a good place," she said.

"We need to bring a lot more support in."

Loewen expects a very close race in the new riding but says she's up to the task.

"I'm going to be shaking a lot of hands," she said.

"And kissing a lot of babies."

British Columbians go to the polls Oct.19.