Is a high-profile political battle for the Kamloops-North Thompson provincial riding shaping up between outgoing Kamloops Mayor Terry Lake and former federal NDP candidate Michael Crawford?

At least one-half of such an intriguing election match is on the way to becoming a combatant in May when residents go to the polls in the 2009 provincial general election.

The Liberal Party of B.C. has confirmed to KTW Dec. 15 as the constituency association’s nomination meeting for both the Kamloops North and South Thompson ridings.

A spokesperson for the party said if no candidates come forward before the allotted time, it will be a procedural acclamation for Lake in Kamloops-North Thompson.

Current Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger will represent the party in Kamloops-South Thompson in the next election.

In July, Lake announced he would seek the Liberal nomination for the riding after Claude Richmond decided to step down at the end of the term.

That could set up an interesting contest between the former mayor and Crawford, who told KTW he hasn’t ruled out a possible run for MLA in the riding.

Crawford said he’s had numerous conversations with people about his options come May.

“I certainly haven’t finished those discussions or reached a conclusion,” he said.

Crawford, who sits on the executive for Kamloops-North Thompson NDP constituency association, ran two unsuccessful federal campaigns for the party, losing by nearly 6,000 votes to Conservative MP Cathy McLeod just over a month ago.

Crawford said he has a number of issues to consider, including family, work and other commitments, along with considering other challengers for the nomination.

“What we’re all looking for is putting forward the best candidate and the candidate who will be best able to represent the riding once elected,” he said.

Crawford is hoping a nomination date for the NDP will be set in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, in Kamloops-South Thompson, Michael Fane, president of that riding’s NDP constituency association, said a number of people in the area have expressed interest in running, but he does not expect a nomination meeting to take place before the new year.

Also delaying the nomination process are party rules that require a candidate to be a member for 90 days before being eligible to vote, and Fane explained some of the potential candidates haven’t been party members for that long.

However, once a candidate is selected, Fane suggested the two candidates for the North and South will run together.

“In all probability, we’re going to run a ‘one Kamloops, two candidate approach’.”