Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election, 2008

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The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick will hold a leadership election in 2008, following the resignation of Bernard Lord on December 13, 2006. The Conservatives last had a leadership election in 1997.

The PC Party is a fiscally conservative and otherwise moderate political party in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. It is, with the New Brunswick Liberal Association, one of two parties that contend for power in the province and controlled the covernment from winning the 1999 election until losing the 2006 election.

On January 5, 2007, it was reported that interim leader Jeannot Volpé would not allow the contest to begin until after the first session of the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly closed that June, making it unlikely for the leadership to be decided before late 2007 or possibly into 2008.^[1] At the party's annual general meeting in Fredericton on October 20, 2007 it was announced that the convention would be held in the fall of 2008,^[2] on February 11, 2008 it was announced that the vote would take place on October 18, 2008 - exactly 11 years after the previous leadership election for the party. The voting will take place primarily at a convention at the Aikten University Centre in Fredericton, but the party will also set up at least four other satellite voting locations.^[3]

As of February 2008, there were not yet any declared candidates.

Contents 1 Potential candidates 1.1 Non candidates 2 Timeline 3 Notes

[edit] Potential candidates

The following individuals are the subject of recent media speculation as candidates in reports published shortly after the party's annual meeting or more recently:

• David Alward, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2003-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus^[4].

• Jody Carr, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2006. His youth is listed as an asset, the Telegraph Journal reported Carr claims an intermediate French speaking ability while the Moncton Times reported his lack of bilingualism was a drawback^[5]. CBC News reported that he was the only potential candidate indicating a serious look at a Leadership bid and said he would discuss the possibilty with his wife^[6]. He was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[7] Alward indicated he was seriously considering a run for leader when the convention date was announced.^{[citation needed]}

• Madeleine Dubé, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2003-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus^[8], however she has since become de facto deputy leader of the opposition and is often referred to by her Liberal opponents as seeking the job and using her higher profile in caucus to improve her chances over her colleagues. She was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[9]

• Bruce Fitch, MLA since 2003, in cabinet 2003-2006. His lack of bilingualism cited as a problem^[10]. Fitch indicated he was seriously considering a run for leader when the convention date was announced.^{[citation needed]}

• Robert Hatheway, a Fredericton businessman and orthodontist was mentioned as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[11]

• Kirk MacDonald, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2006^[12]. He was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[13]

• Lisa Merrithew, deputy chief of staff to Bernard Lord (2006) and daughter of former provicial and federal cabinet minister Gerald Merrithew. ^[14]. Merrithew, who is fluently bilingual and was brought in to improve the communications of Premier Bernard Lord's government did oversee the PC Party retaking the lead in opinion polls for the first time in three years and they went on to win the popular vote and narrowly lose the election. Merrithew works at Fleishman-Hillard. [6] She was mentioned again as potential a candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[15]

• Paul Robichaud, though cited as a potential bilingual caucus contender in some sources,^[16] the Telegraph-Journal reported that he was the first caucus member to rule out a run.^[17] Despite his initial indication he would not run, he was mentioned as a potential candidate some months later after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[18]

• Claude Williams, MLA since 2001, in cabinet 2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus^[19], however he was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007.^[20]

Several media sources reported on December 14, 2006 that the following were considering a possible candidacy, the have not indicated publicly that they will not be candidates but were not mentioned in news articles following the PC annual meeting in October 2007:

• Brad Green, MLA from 1998-2006, in cabinet 1999-2006^[21].

• Trevor Holder, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2005-2006. His youth listed as an asset while his lack of bilingualism cited as a problem^[22]. CBC News reported that Holder's candidacy was being promoted by former party president Lisa Keenan and was supported by the PC riding president in Fundy-River Valley^[23].

• Percy Mockler, MLA from 1982-1987 and again since 1994, in cabinet 1999-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" candidate from caucus^[24].

• Elvy Robichaud, MLA from 1994-2006, in cabinet 1999-2006^[25].

[edit] Non candidates

The following individuals have been subject of media attention as possibile leadership candidates but have indicated they will not run:

• Keith Ashfield, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2003-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus^[26], but has since decided to seek the nomination to be the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Fredericton in the next federal election.

• Margaret-Ann Blaney, former leadership candidate in 1997, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 1999-2006. Promoted as a potential candidate by former party president Lisa Keenan^[27] but stated she would not be a candidate in November 2007.^[28]

• Bernard Lord, MLA from 1998 to 2007, premier from 1999 to 2006. The leadership race is being held to chose Lord's successor, however "party members discussed the possibility" of Lord returning at their October 2007 general meeting, indeed "(former) Conservative cabinet minister Omer Leger (said) the possibility shouldn't be counted out". Lord however indicated that a run in this leadership contest "not in the cards".^[29]

• Jeannot Volpé was elected as interim leader on December 19, 2006 and indicated he will not seek the leadership on a permanent basis. [7]

[edit] Timeline

• September 18, 2006 - The Progressive Conservatives fail in their bid to win a third term in government despite winning the popular vote in a close election.
• December 12, 2006 - An opinion poll released by Corporate Research Associates show that the PCs now trail the Liberals by a margin of 65% to 27% while Lord trails Premier Shawn Graham 48% to 23% in leadership preferences.
• December 13, 2006 - Lord announces his resignation as leader and his Moncton East seat in the legislature both effective January 31, 2007.
• December 19, 2006 - The party selects Jeannot Volpé as interim leader until the convention, he will assume this role upon Lord's formal leaving of office in January. [8]
• October 20, 2007 - The party announces that it will hold a leadership race in the fall of 2008.

[edit] Notes