The blitz is on for a new NDP leader in British Columbia. The province's governing party is struggling to re-invent itself in the wake of countless controversies.

The NDP is trying desperately to distance itself from former premier Glen Clark, who resigned last summer after it was revealed he was part of an criminal investigation into illegal gambling.

The party has since been rocked by endless controversies.

Voters sent a clear message during a byelection earlier this week in South Delta, when the NDP candidate finished last, behind even the Green candidate.

It was the worst defeat ever suffered by a governing party in Canada.

B.C.'s next premier will be decided in 70 days. Some say it will be Gordon Wilson. Others point to Joy MacPhail.

If MacPhail wins she will be the second woman to run the province, and perhaps Canada's first premier who is a single mom.

If Ujjal Dosanjh wins, he will be the first Indo-Canadian premier in the country.

But some say the people of B.C. should brace themselves for a leader named Corky.

California-born Corky Evans turned some heads at a leadership debate Wednesday night in East Vancouver.

Evans does not have the gloss or the connections the other candidates enjoy.

His website is not up and running, and he admits there are some issues, such as grizzly bear hunting, he has to tread carefully around because he knows the people of rural B.C.

But he's clear on one thing -- he wants to be leader of the province, not of the opposition.

"If the corporate classes are going to put us back on the street again, I want to be on the street with the rest of you and not in the legislature in some kind of filibuster," Evans told party faithful.