2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

The 2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election was held due to the announcement by Dwight Ball on February 17, 2020 that he would be resigning as Liberal Party leader and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador effective when the party elects his successor.[3] Provincial legislation requires that a general election must occur no more than one year following a Premier's resignation.[4][5][6]

2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election
DateAugust 3, 2020
ConventionSt. John's, NL
Resigning leaderDwight Ball
Won byAndrew Furey
Ballots1
Candidates2
Entrance Fee$25,000[1]
Spending limitnone[2]

The leadership campaign was suspended on March 23, 2020 at noon due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[7][8] The party's leadership election committee met on May 25, 2020, announcing that the race would resume on June 8, 2020.[9] A virtual convention was held on August 3, 2020, at which Andrew Furey was elected leader.

Timeline
  • 17 February 2020 - Liberal leader and Premier Dwight Ball informs Liberal Party president John Allan of his resignation as party leader and premier, to take effect when the Liberal Party chooses his successor. Ball subsequently announces his decision to the province in a pre-taped video.[5]
  • 18 February 2020 - Liberal board of directors meets to make decisions on the process to replace Ball.[5]
  • 24 February 2020 - Liberal Party releases leadership election rules, official opening of nomination period.[1][10]
  • 6 March 2020, noon - deadline for candidates to be nominated ($25,000 deposit and 50 signatures from 10 provincial electoral districts required).[1]
  • 18 March 2020 - the executive announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the physical leadership convention would be cancelled and the vote would proceed entirely online.[11]
  • 23 March 2020 - The party executive announced that the leadership campaign has been suspended effective at noon due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The party executive is to meet on 1 May 2020 to decide whether the race can resume or whether it and/or the election will be postponed.[12]
  • 4 April 2020 - original deadline to become a party member or renew party membership so that one can be able to vote in the leadership election.[1]
  • 1 May 2020 - Party releases a press release stating that the leadership election committee will meet on May 11, 2020, to determine whether the suspension of the leadership election will be lifted.[7]
  • 8 May 2020 - leadership convention was to have opened (cancelled).[1]
  • 9 May 2020 - original date leadership vote was scheduled to occur by preferential ballot.[7]
  • 11 May 2020 - leadership election committee meets to determine whether the suspension of the election can be lifted and, if so, determine a new schedule.[7] It announces that the race remains suspended and that the situation will be reviewed again on 25 May.[8]
  • 25 May 2020 - the leadership election committee announces that the race will resume on 8 June. No schedule was determined.[9]
  • 1 June 2020 - the Liberal party formally informs the candidates that the race will resume the following week, and announces that the results will be revealed at a virtual convention on 3 August.[13]
  • 8 June 2020 - Campaigning resumes.
  • 21 June 2020 - NTV News hosted a virtual town hall debate with Abbott and Furey.
  • 25 June 2020 - CBC NL hosted a debate with Abbott and Furey.
  • 28 June 2020 - Deadline to become a party member or renew party membership so that one can be able to vote in the leadership election.[14]
  • 3 August 2020 - Virtual convention held. Andrew Furey elected leader.

Declared candidates

John Abbott

CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Deputy Minister of Health under Premiers Danny Williams and Dwight Ball

Date campaign launched: March 5, 2020[15][16][17]

Former MHAs: Rex Gibbons, MHA for St. John's West (1989–1997)[18]
Other prominent individuals: Paul Antle, businessman and political candidate[19]

Andrew Furey

Philanthropist and orthopedic surgeon, founder of Team Broken Earth, son of Senator George Furey and nephew of former cabinet minister Chuck Furey.

Date campaign launched: March 3, 2020[20][21][22]

MHAs: Derrick Bragg, MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels (2015–present);[23] Gerry Byrne, MHA for Corner Brook (2015-);[24] Steve Crocker, MHA for Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde (2014–present); Sherry Gambin-Walsh, MHA for Placentia-St. Mary's (2015–present); John Haggie, MHA for Gander (2015-present);[25] Eddie Joyce, MHA for Humber-Bay of Islands (2011-present);[26] Andrew Parsons, MHA for Burgeo-La Poile (2011–present); Pam Parsons, MHA for Harbour Grace-Port de Grave (2015–present)[22][20]
Former party leaders: Brian Tobin, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador (1996–2000)[27]
Former MHAs: Graham Letto, MHA for Labrador West (2015–2019)[28]
Other prominent supporters: Jamie Fowlow, CEO of the Western Regional Hospital Foundation;[29] Brendan Paddick, Chair of the Board of Directors at Nalcor Energy[30]

Declined

Results

Furey defeated Abbott in all 40 electoral districts, with Abbott performing the best in St. John's and the surrounding regions.

Results by ballot [42][43]
Candidate Ballot 1
Name Votes Points
Andrew Furey13,645
64.42%		26,443
66.11%
John Abbott7,537
35.58%		13,557
33.89%
Total21,18240,000

See also

References
  1. "Liberal leadership race is on, new leader to be named May 9". CBC News. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  2. "Crosbie calls out Liberals over lack of spending cap, financial disclosures in leadership race". CBC News. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  3. Mullin, Malone (17 February 2020). "Dwight Ball stepping down as Newfoundland and Labrador premier". CBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  4. Maher, David (17 February 2020). "Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball stepping down". The Telegram. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  5. "Dwight Ball to Step Down as Premier, Launches Leadership Process". VOCM News. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. "Dwight Ball stepping down as premier as soon as Liberal party chooses successor". NTV News. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. "Liberal leadership race still on hold". CBC News. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  8. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/liberal-leadership-1.5564125
  9. "N.L. Liberal Party plans to restart leadership race June 8". CBC News. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  10. "N.L. Liberals open leadership contest after premier's resignation". CTV News. Canadian Press. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  11. "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race continues amid COVID-19 pandemic". St. John's Telegram. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  12. "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race suspended due to COVID-19". St. John's Telegram. March 23, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  13. "2020 Leadership". NL Liberals. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  14. Baird, Tom (28 June 2020). "On Corporate Ties, Andrew Furey has Nothing to Hide". The Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  15. Connors, Michael (24 February 2020). "Liberal party defends lack of spending limits in leadership race". NTV News. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  16. "Former N.L. Bureaucrat John Abbott first to confirm he will seek Liberal leadership | CBC News".
  17. "John Abbott Officially Enters Race for Liberal Leadership". VOCM. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  18. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (5 Mar 2020). "A crowd is gathering at the Sheraton for John Abbott's campaign launch for the Liberal leadership. Former cabinet minister Rex Gibbons will be introducing Abbott. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  19. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (16 Jun 2020). "Businessman and former leadership candidate Paul Antle has endorsed John Abbott for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  20. "Andrew Furey kicks off campaign for Liberal leadership". CBC News. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  21. "Who's in, Who's Out to Replace Dwight?". VOCM News. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  22. "Andrew Furey expected to launch Liberal leadership campaign Tuesday". NTV News. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  23. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (2 Mar 2020). "I believe this is endorsement No. 5 for Andrew Furey from the Liberal caucus. Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Derrick Bragg is the latest one to join in. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  24. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (4 Mar 2020). "Gerry Byrne is supporting Andrew Furey. He says he could not support John Abbott because he disagreed with his comments about the current administration failing to make decisions to move the province forward. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  25. John Haggie [@Johnrockdoc] (28 Jun 2020). "After much discussion & talking to both candidates, I will he supporting Dr. Furey in his bid for the Liberal Leadership. Deadline for registration is midnight tonight" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  26. Ben Murphy [@VOCMBen] (4 Mar 2020). "Independent MHA Eddie Joyce says he is in full support of @FureyAndrew. [...] Joyce adds what he likes best is Furey will make the tough decisions which, he says needs to be done" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. "The fall of Dwight Ball: An embattled premier with waning caucus support". CBC News. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  28. Graham Letto [@GrahamLetto] (2 Mar 2020). "Thank you Andrew for the invite to your official launch. I will be supporting you all the way. You will make an awesome leader that will continue with the great work that has already been done by Premier Ball in these very challenging times" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  29. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (5 Mar 2020). "Jamie Fowlow has decided not to run for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  30. "Crosbie, Abbott Call for Resignation of Nalcor Chair Over Conflict of Interest Allegation". VOCM. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  31. "Paul Antle counts himself out of Liberal leadership race". NTV News. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  32. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (19 Feb 2020). "Tourism Minister Bernard Davis is not ruling himself in or out of the Liberal leadership race. He's waiting to see what the rules are first. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  33. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (2 Mar 2020). "Tourism Minster Bernard Davis says he will not be running for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  34. Maher, David (February 18, 2020). "Ches Crosbie 'not ruling out' forcing Newfoundland and Labrador election before Liberal leadership race ends". St. John's Telegra. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  35. https://twitter.com/VOCMBen/status/1229871358236069888
  36. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (27 Feb 2020). "Jamie Fowlow, the chair of the Western Regional Hospital Foundation, says he is considering running for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  37. Jamie Fowlow [@JamieFowlow] (28 Feb 2020). "Thanks to ⁦@MikeConnors for the shout out on NTV News last night. It will take creative new ideas and unpopular decision making to lead this province. I have the creative new ideas. Still deciding if I want to be the unpopular decision maker" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  38. Jamie Fowlow [@JamieFowlow] (5 Mar 2020). "So close! A run is not in the cards this time. Have a look at how close we were! Thanks to all who helped and encouraged, incl you folks in the media!" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  39. Michael Connors [@MikeConnors] (February 24, 2020). "Health Minister John Haggie says he's not ruling out running for the Liberal leadership. #nlpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  40. John Haggie [@Johnrockdoc] (2 Mar 2020). "To those that have reached out to encourage me to run for the Liberal Leadership, Thank You. I am truly humbled. After careful consideration, I have decided to not run, & focus on serving the ppl of my District. We have excellent candidates so I know the Party is in great hands!" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  41. Yvonne Jones [@YvonneJJones] (18 Feb 2020). "Thank-you for your encouragement to seek the leadership LPNL, however my greatest service to people of NL right now is through my work in Ottawa. I take great pride in being the MP for Labrador it drives me to work hard everyday. Looking forward to strong contenders stepping up!" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  42. "Andrew Furey wins Liberal leadership race, will become 14th premier of N.L." Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  43. Maher, David (4 August 2020). "Vote breakdown revealed in Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race". The Telegram. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
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