The Green Party of British Columbia confirmed today that leader Jane Sterk plans to run in Victoria-Beacon Hill, the constituency now held by former New Democratic Party leader Carole James.

“I will be working hard to earn the support of the voters in Victoria-Beacon Hill," Sterk was quoted saying in a press release. "I’m excited about the campaign. I want to represent the voters of this district in the next legislature.”

Sterk and the Green party have been seeking a constituency where she would have the best chance of winning for some time.

In 2009 Sterk came third in Esquimalt-Royal Roads, where she lives and served as a municipal councilor. The NDP's Maurine Karagianis won with over 53 percent of the votes in that election.

In October, 2010, The Tyee reported Sterk was considering running in one of two Victoria area ridings held by Liberals, Oak Bay - Gordon Head or Saanich North and the Islands. Then in March we reported that with James leaving the NDP leadership Sterk was looking at Victoria-Beacon Hill.

Victoria-Beacon Hill "has been a strong base of support" for the Greens in both federal and provincial elections since 2001, the party's release noted.

In the 2009 general election, James won the riding with 13,400 votes (55.37 percent) to Liberal Dallas Henault's 6,375 (26.34 percent) and the Green Party's Adam Saab's 4,106 (16.97 percent).

James has said she plans to announce this month whether she intends to run in the next provincial election, which Premier Christy Clark has said she'll call before the 2013 fixed election date.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.