MHAs align with their preferred candidate as N.L. Liberal leadership contest enters home stretch
CBC
Most Liberal MHAs have now declared their support for either John Abbott or John Hogan as the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership contest enters the home stretch.
And if such a metric can be considered an indicator of a campaign's momentum, Hogan has the advantage.
Up to Wednesday, 10 MHAs have declared their support for Hogan. They are some of the most influential faces in the government of outgoing Premier Andrew Furey.
They include Siobhan Coady, Steve Crocker, Bernard Davis, John Haggie, Krista Lynn Howell, Fred Hutton, Jamie Korab, Elvis Loveless, Pam Parsons and Paul Pike. Korab is the only backbencher among Hogan's supporters.
Six MHAs — three cabinet ministers and three backbenchers — have sided with John Abbott. They are Lisa Dempster, Scott Reid, Sarah Stoodley, Lucy Stoyles, Perry Trimper and Sherry Gambin-Walsh.
Andrew Furey has not taken sides publicly, but some political staffers in his office are active on Hogan's campaign.
Derek Bennett is Speaker of the House of Assembly, and has not endorsed either of the candidates.
Gerry Byrne has ignored repeated CBC inquiries on the subject, while Andrew Parsons says he'll reveal who he supports on Thursday or Friday.
During his 2020 bid for the leadership against Andrew Furey, Abbott did not have a single MHA supporting him, and he received 34 per cent of the votes. So he's encouraged that a half-dozen are in his corner this time, and believes he can win.
"I do believe that is going to be the result on May 3," said Abbott.
While MHAs can have some influence on how party members may vote in a leadership contest, Abbott said the response to his campaign has given him confidence.
"An MHA is one person," said Abbott. "They may be able to bring other people on with them. Maybe, maybe not."
John Hogan is viewed as the insiders' choice, but he's not letting up.
"You keep going until the last day," said Hogan.
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