John Horgan acclaimed new leader of B.C. NDP

Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan has been acclaimed the new leader of the B.C. NDP. 

Horgan replaces Adrian Dix as leader of the Official Opposition.

Dix announced he was stepping down following his crushing defeat by Liberal leader Christy Clark in the May 2013 provincial election.

Initially, Horgan, who ran and lost to Dix, in the last NDP leadership contest, had decided he wasn't going to run again,  but some in the party convinced him to change his mind.

Shortly afterwards, Mike Farnworth, his main challenger, stepped aside.

"John is a leader who understands that BC needs a balanced approach to everything we do — ensuring that communities benefit as our province moves forward.” said NDP president Craig Keating, in a written statement announcing the acclamation.

Horgan is considered to be more pro-economic development than current leader Adrian Dix, and has talked about re-examining Dix's decision to oppose the expansion of the Kinder Morgan oil pipeline.

Horgan’s official inauguration will take place Sunday, May 4 at the Renaissance Hotel in Vancouver.