2016 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election

Canadian provincial leadership election September 2023 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick NB PC 2016 October 22, 2016 Aitken Centre,Fredericton, New Brunswick Blaine Higgs 3 David Alward The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick held a leadership election on October 22, 2016, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to elect a new leader for the party. The position had been held in an interim capacity by Bruce Fitch since former leader David Alward's resignation on September 23, 2014, following his government's defeat in the 2014 provincial election to the Liberals led by Brian Gallant. The front-runner for the leadership election was Blaine Higgs, a former Minister of Finance and Irving Oil executive serving in the provincial legislature for Quispamsis. His main competitor was Mel Norton, the outgoing Mayor of Saint John. Higgs won the leadership election with 1,563 votes, or 57.2 percent of the votes cast on the third ballot. After securing leadership for the party, Higgs would go on to defeat Gallant in the 2018 provincial election and serve as premier through one re-election until his defeat in his 2024 provincial re-election, after which he resigned as leader. The next leadership election is scheduled to be held in 2026, one decade after this one. Background On September 23, 2014, then-Progressive Conservative leader David Alward announced his resignation after his party's government was defeated by the Liberal Party led by Brian Gallant in the 2014 provincial election, which had been held the previous day.David Alward concedes election, resigns as Tory leader https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nbvotes2018/david-alward-concedes-election-resigns-as-tory-leader-1.2775161 June 17, 2024 CBC News September 23, 2014Weese Bryn New Brunswick PC leader resigns after loss to Liberals https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/149515830/ June 17, 2024 The Sault Star QMI press agency September 24, 2014 6 Interest in leadership came almost immediately after Alward's announcement. The following day, Brian Macdonald, the legislative member for Fredericton West-Hanwell made a proposal to serve as interim leader, though he was disinterested in seeking leadership.Staples Michael Macdonald wouldn't turn down chance to serve as interim leader https://www.proquest.com/docview/1564539233/5FBFF1399C8343D8PQ/183 June 17, 2024 The Daily Gleaner September 24, 2014 A5 Don Desserud, a political scientist at the University of Prince Edward Island, considered Trevor Holder as being a strong leadership candidate.Donkin Karissa Tory-Liberal split not necessarily bad for Saint John: experts https://www.proquest.com/docview/1564540603/5FBFF1399C8343D8PQ/184 June 17, 2024 Telegraph-Journal September 24, 2014 B3 It was scheduled for an interim leader to be appointed within weeks, with a leadership convention being held at an unspecified date in the future.Scott-Wallace Tammy Tammy Scott-Wallace Back to basics for MLA Bruce Northrup https://www.proquest.com/docview/1566227207/5FBFF1399C8343D8PQ/194 June 17, 2024 Kings County Record September 30, 2014 A3 Declared candidates Brian Macdonald, MLA for Fredericton West-Hanwell Candidacy declared: January 21, 2016.First contender enters leadership race for N.B. Progressive Conservatives http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/01/21/first-contender-enters-leadership-race-for-n-b-progressive-conservatives.html January 22, 2016 Metro Canadian Press January 21, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160129005929/http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/01/21/first-contender-enters-leadership-race-for-n-b-progressive-conservatives.html January 29, 2016 deadhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/brian-macdonald-pc-leadership-bid-1.3413650 January 22, 2016 CBC News Brian Macdonald launches Progressive Conservative leadership bid January 21, 2016 Endorsements: Peter MacKay, Noël Kinsella, Jody Carr, Jeff Carr, Jack Carr, Carl Urquhart Blaine Higgs, MLA for Quispamsis (2010–2024), Minister of Finance (2010–2014) Candidacy declared: March 17, 2016.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/blaine-higgs-quispamsis-progressive-conservatives-legislature-leadership-tories-government-1.3496043 March 18, 2016 CBC News Blaine Higgs enters race for PC leadership March 17, 2016 Endorsements: Bill Oliver, Sherry Wilson, Brian Keirstead, Rob Moore, Ernie Steeves Monica Barley, Moncton lawyer Candidacy declared: April 15, 2016.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/monica-barley-progressive-conservative-leadership-1.3537597 Monica Barley launches Progressive Conservative leadership bid CBC News April 15, 2016 April 21, 2016 Endorsements: Claude Williams, Ted Flemming Mike Allen, MP for Tobique—Mactaquac (2006–2015) Candidacy declared: April 21, 2016.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/mike-allen-progressive-conservative-leadership-bid-1.3546350 Ex-MP Mike Allen joins Progressive Conservative leadership race CBC News April 21, 2016 April 21, 2016 Endorsements: Kirk MacDonald, Richard Bragdon, Pam Lynch Mel Norton, Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick (2012–2016) Candidacy declared: May 4, 2016.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/mel-norton-progressive-conservative-leadership-1.3565879 Mel Norton adds name to list of PC leadership candidates CBC News May 4, 2016 May 4, 2016 Endorsements: Gary Crossman, Dorothy Shephard, Trevor Holder, Glen Savoie, Ross Wetmore, Rodney Weston. Jake Stewart, MLA for Southwest Miramichi-Bay du Vin (2010–2021) Candidacy declared: May 26, 2016.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/jake-stewart-leadership-race-1.3600960 Jake Stewart jumps into crowded race for PC leadership CBC News May 26, 2016 May 30, 2016 Endorsements: Jim Parrott Jean Dubé, MLA for Campbellton (2001–2003), MP for Madawaska—Restigouche (1997–2000) Candidacy declared: June 27, 2016. Chose not to endorse: Bruce Fitch, Madeleine Dubé, Bruce Northrup, Stewart FairgrieveHuras Adam MLA backs Blaine Higgs https://www.proquest.com/docview/1829665543/C07D65692364533PQ/2 June 18, 2024 Telegraph-Journal October 18, 2016 A1 Declined candidates Madeleine Dubé, MLA for Edmundston-Saint Basile, former Health Minister, Education Minister, and Social Development Minister Ted Flemming, MLA for Rothesay, former Health Minister (2012–2014) 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.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pc-leadership-n-b-dub%C3%A9-1.3654572 PC leadership race swells to 7 candidates CBC News June 27, 2016 October 2, 2016 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.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/progressive-conservative-leadership-balloting-1.3784568 Progressive Conservatives shorten leadership ballot process CBC News September 30, 2016 October 2, 2016 Election results Up to four candidates with more than 15% is required to move to the second ballot; more than 50% of the vote is required to win the election.Morris Chris Blaine Higgs leads Tory race, poll suggests https://www.proquest.com/docview/1830808796/536B2C2D810B4F84PQ/362 June 17, 2024 Telegraph-Journal October 22, 2016 A1 Legend pink darkgray = Eliminated from next round lightgreen darkgray = Winner 2016 PCNB leadership ballotMcHardie Daniel Blaine Higgs wins New Brunswick Progressive Conservative leadership race https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/progressive-conservative-leadership-race-results-1.3817335 June 17, 2024 CBC News October 22, 2016Morries Chris Huras Adam Scott-Wallace Tammy Tammy Scott-Wallace Ex-finance minister vows to do politics differently https://www.proquest.com/docview/1831173879/536B2C2D810B4F84PQ/365 June 17, 2024 The Daily Gleaner October 24, 2016 A1CandidateFirst ballotSecond ballotThird ballotVotes%Votes%+/-Votes%+/- Blaine Higgs 1,228 22.37 1,417 34.56 +12.19 1,563 57.21 +22.65 Mel Norton 1,078 19.64 993 24.22 +4.58 1,169 42.79 +18.57 Monica Barley 948 17.27 861 21.00 +3.73 Endorsed Norton Mike Allen 892 16.25 829 20.22 +3.97 Endorsed Higgs Jake Stewart 700 12.75 Endorsed Barley Brian Macdonald 605 11.02 Jean F. Dubé 39 0.71 Endorsed Higgs 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.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-votes-2014/david-alward-concedes-election-resigns-as-tory-leader-1.2775161 David Alward concedes election, resigns as Tory leader CBC News September 23, 2014 January 30, 2016 October 18, 2014 – Bruce Fitch is chosen by the party caucus to serve as interim leader.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/bruce-fitch-named-interim-n-b-progressive-conservative-leader-1.2804588 Bruce Fitch named interim N.B. Progressive-Conservative leader CBC News October 18, 2014 January 27, 2016 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.http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-progressive-conservatives-to-choose-new-leader-in-october-1.2758660 https://web.archive.org/web/20160131043834/http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-progressive-conservatives-to-choose-new-leader-in-october-1.2758660 dead January 31, 2016 N.B. Progressive Conservatives to choose new leader in October CTV News January 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 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. Notes 2016 Category:2016 in New Brunswick Category:2010s in Fredericton Category:2016 political party leadership elections in Canada