Resigning leader Yvonne Jones Candidates 7 Won by Kevin Aylward | Ballots 1 Date 14 August 2011 Entrance fee 500 USD | |
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election, August 2011 was prompted by Yvonne Jones' announcement that she would be stepping down as Liberal leader, once her successor was chosen, due to health reasons. Her announcement came 62 days before the October 2011 provincial election.
Contents
- Timing
- Process of selecting leader
- Kevin Aylward
- Brad Cabana
- Bern Coffey
- Danny Dumaresque
- Ryan Lane
- Rodney Martin
- Charles Murphy
- Potential candidates who did not run
- Timeline
- References
Former Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) and cabinet minister Kevin Aylward was chosen as the Liberal leader on August 14, 2011.
Timing
Jones served as the interim party leader following the 2007 provincial election, and was sworn in as party leader on May 28, 2011. Jones had been acclaimed leader after being the only candidate to file nomination papers for the leadership in July 2010. On August 16, 2010, she announced she had breast cancer and would be taking a leave of absence for treatment, but would vowed to return and fight the election. Jones returned to the House of Assembly for the Spring sitting and had already started making policy announcements for the election when she announced her resignation. Jones held a news conference on August 9, 2011, where she announced her resignation stating that her white blood cell count had not recovered and her immune system was too weak to fight an election as leader, though she would seek re-election in her district.
Process of selecting leader
Due to the timing of Jones' resignation, less than 6 weeks before the writ for the election was set to drop, the Liberal executive met on the night of her resignation to come up with a process of selecting a leader as soon as possible. Nominations for the leadership opened at noon on August 10, and closed on August 12, at noon. Candidates submitted a non-refundable $500 fee in addition to a letter to party president Judy Morrow expressing their interest in the leadership. The party executive engaged in a 48-hour consultation process, that reached out to party members throughout the province. On the afternoon of August 14, the candidates were allowed half an hour to address the executive board. The 19 members of the executive board voted by secret ballot to determine the successful leadership candidate, and Aylward won on the first ballot.
Kevin Aylward
Former MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East (1985–2003) and cabinet minister.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 12, 2011. Policies:Brad Cabana
Businessman and blogger, who attempted to run for the Progressive Conservative Party leadership earlier in the year.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 10, 2011. Policies:Get rid of the Muskrat Falls deal and get the province's debt under control.Bern Coffey
St. John's lawyer.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 11, 2010. Policies:Get rid of the current Muskrat Falls deal and sustain government spending.Danny Dumaresque
Former MHA for Eagle River (1989–1996) and former party president.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 10, 2011. Policies:Get rid of the Muskrat Falls deal, and focus on the fishing industry.Ryan Lane
Consultant, former teacher and candidate in Terra Nova.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 12, 2011. Policies:Rodney Martin
Real-estate agent.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 12, 2011. Policies:Charles Murphy
Former New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador candidate in Bay of Islands.
Support from caucus members: Support from outside caucus: Date campaign launched: August 12, 2011. Policies: