Blaine Higgs is the new PC leader of NB. #nbpoli pic.twitter.com/HH2fWkhDjQ
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) October 23, 2016
On a very long Saturday in Fredericton, Quispamsis MLA Blaine Higgs became the new PC leader of New Brunswick.
Three ballots were needed before Higgs defeated former Saint John mayor Mel Norton. Higgs got 1564 votes on the last ballot to Norton’s 1168.
In his victory speech, he said “We have a party to rebuild and a party to unite but guess what? We are the future of this Province”.
Speaking to reporters later, Higgs talked about education saying some things need to be worked on collectively. He says we should ask educators what is needed to see students graduate with skills. He says government needs to get out the way and let educators create the curriculum.
Higgs says he ran a different campaign calling it a tough battle. He says they will put the province first and politics second adding that is not just a slogan for him.
Delays in Fredericton and in Saint John at satellite voting centres created delays at the convention. Jason Stephen, the president of the PC party of New Brunswick, says the issues were volume based. The weather may have played a role where some delegates didn’t travel from Saint John.
Stephen points out that the people doing the counting are volunteers. He says he tells people that are upset with him that everyone is trying to do their best.
150 ballots separate @BlaineHiggs & @MelnortonNB #nbpoli @monicabarleynb & Mike Allen are also on the second ballot.
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) October 22, 2016
