Photo: mikedejong.com

The race to replace Christy Clark as leader of British Columbia's Liberal party is in its stretch run with the contest coming down to a choice between the old guard and party newcomers.

Three veteran cabinet ministers, Mike de Jong, Andrew Wilkinson and Todd Stone, are facing backbenchers Sam Sullivan and Michael Lee, as well as Dianne Watts, who was the mayor of Surrey before winning a seat for the Conservatives in the House of Commons.

David Black, a political communications expert at Victoria's Royal Roads University, says the race has split into two camps: those wanting change and those resisting it.

He says Watts and Lee are pushing the party to follow a new direction to reflect changing political dynamics in B.C., while Wilkinson and de Jong are promoting their experience and promises to maintain a tight grip on the province's purse strings as the best route to success.

Black says Stone is successfully positioning himself as a middle ground option.

The final debate for the six candidates is set for Tuesday in Vancouver.

The Liberals will elect their new leader on Feb. 3.