Retired CTV News anchor Pamela Martin is backing Christy Clark in her leadership bid to be British Columbia's next premier.

Martin will be chair of Clark's membership drive. Martin says she'll use her "extensive" community contacts to drum up support and volunteers for Clark's campaign and the Liberal party.

"I think it's time for us to have a woman as the premier of the province," Martin told CKNW radio. "I think she's the right candidate."

Clark has emerged as an early popular favourite in the race to replace outgoing B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.

Martin said she always wanted to get involved in politics but couldn't because of her longstanding role in British Columbia journalism.

"I really wanted to get involved, I really did," she said.

Martin says she joined the BC Liberal party on Wednesday.

Almost two-thirds of Liberal voters polled last month by Angus Reid Public Strategies said they'd support the former deputy premier and CKNW radio host to lead the province.

Martin left her position as news anchor at CTV British Columbia last month after nearly 10 years on the job.