Kerry-Lynne Findlay enters the September 26 by-election as the Conservative leader seeking a legislative seat after Reann Gasper resigned the Abbotsford-Mission riding to clear her path, creating a short four-week campaign window. An early poll conducted shortly after the writ showed Findlay ahead of NDP candidate Pam Alexis by 15 points in head-to-head preference, consistent with the riding's 2024 Conservative margin. Recent departures of multiple Conservative MLAs from the caucus introduce uncertainty around party cohesion and voter turnout among core supporters. Nominations remain open until September 5, allowing additional candidates such as CentreBC's Lakhwinder Jhaj to enter and potentially fragment the vote. Advance polls and mail-in options run through September 23, with final results expected after September 26. These factors sustain a competitive field where outcomes hinge on campaign execution and late candidate declarations.