2016 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election

The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick held a leadership election on October 22, 2016 as a result of the resignation of David Alward on September 23, 2014, following his government's defeat in the 2014 provincial election. The Conservatives last had a leadership election in 2008.

2016 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election
DateOctober 22, 2016
ConventionAitken Centre,
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Resigning leaderDavid Alward
Won byBlaine Higgs
Ballots3

Process

All members who have paid the $40 membership fee were eligible to vote on October 22 at the Aitken Centre or at one of several satellite locations around the province.[1] The election used a one member, one vote process. Balloting continued until one candidate received 50% + 1 of ballots cast. A maximum of four candidates were allowed to proceed to the second ballot. As there was no victor on the second ballot, the lowest placed candidate was dropped from the third and subsequent ballots until one candidate received the required level of support.[2]

Results
Round 1
Candidate Votes %
Blaine Higgs 1,228 22.37
Mel Norton 1,078 19.64
Monica Barley 948 17.27
Mike Allen 892 16.25
Jake Stewart 700 12.75
Brian Macdonald 605 11.02
Jean F. Dubé 39 0.71

(Dubé eliminated, endorses Higgs; Macdonald and Stewart eliminated, endorse Barley)[3]

Round 2
Candidate Votes % +/-
Blaine Higgs 1,417 34.56 +12.19
Mel Norton 993 24.22 +4.58
Monica Barley 861 21.00 +3.73
Mike Allen 829 20.22 +3.97

(Allen eliminated, endorses Higgs; Barley eliminated, endorses Norton)[3]

Round 3
Candidate Votes % +/-
Blaine Higgs 1,563 57.21 +22.65
Mel Norton 1,169 42.79 +18.57

Timeline
  • September 22, 2014 - Provincial election results in the defeat of Premier David Alward's Progressive Conservative government after a single term.
  • September 23, 2014 - Alward announces his resignation as party leader.[4]
  • October 18, 2014 - Bruce Fitch is chosen by the party caucus to serve as interim leader.[5]
  • January 21, 2016 - Brian Macdonald announces his candidacy for leader.
  • January 30, 2016 - Party executive meets and sets October 22, 2016 as the date for the leadership convention and announces that the convention will be held at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton.[6]
  • March 17, 2016 - Blaine Higgs announces his candidacy for leader.
  • April 15, 2016 - Monica Barley announces her candidacy for leader.
  • April 21, 2016 - Mike Allen announces his candidacy for leader.
  • May 4, 2016 - Mel Norton announces his candidacy for leader.
  • May 26, 2016 - Jake Stewart, MLA for Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin announces his candidacy for leader.
  • July 27, 2016 - Jean F. Dubé announces his candidacy for leader.
  • August 26, 2016 - Due to the large number of candidates the party executive modifies the rules so that only a maximum of four candidates will be permitted to proceed to the second ballot, if one is required.
  • October 22, 2016 - Leadership convention is held, Blaine Higgs is elected leader after three ballots.

Declared candidates
Candidacy declared: January 21, 2016.[7][8]
Endorsements: Peter MacKay, Noël Kinsella, Jody Carr, Jeff Carr, Jack Carr, Carl Urquhart
Candidacy declared: March 17, 2016.[9]
Endorsements: Bill Oliver, Sherry Wilson, Brian Keirstead, Rob Moore, Ernie Steeves
  • Monica Barley - Moncton lawyer
Candidacy declared: April 15, 2016.[10]
Endorsements: Claude Williams, Ted Flemming
Candidacy declared: April 21, 2016.[11]
Endorsements: Kirk MacDonald, Richard Bragdon
Candidacy declared: May 4, 2016.[12]
Endorsements: Gary Crossman, Dorothy Shephard, Trevor Holder, Glen Savoie, Ross Wetmore, Rodney Weston.
Candidacy declared: May 26, 2016.[13]
Endorsements: Jim Parrott
Candidacy declared: June 27, 2016.[1]

Declined

Notes
  1. "PC leadership race swells to 7 candidates". CBC News. June 27, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  2. "Progressive Conservatives shorten leadership ballot process". CBC News. September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  3. "Blaine Higgs wins New Brunswick Progressive Conservative leadership race". CBC News. October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  4. "David Alward concedes election, resigns as Tory leader". CBC News. September 23, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  5. "Bruce Fitch named interim N.B. Progressive-Conservative leader". CBC News. October 18, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  6. "N.B. Progressive Conservatives to choose new leader in October". CTV News. January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  7. "First contender enters leadership race for N.B. Progressive Conservatives". Metro. Canadian Press. January 21, 2016. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  8. "Brian Macdonald launches Progressive Conservative leadership bid". CBC News. January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  9. "Blaine Higgs enters race for PC leadership". CBC News. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  10. "Monica Barley launches Progressive Conservative leadership bid". CBC News. April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  11. "Ex-MP Mike Allen joins Progressive Conservative leadership race". CBC News. April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  12. "Mel Norton adds name to list of PC leadership candidates". CBC News. May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  13. "Jake Stewart jumps into crowded race for PC leadership". CBC News. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
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