New Brunswick Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers. (submitted by the New Brunswick Liberal Party)
The New Brunswick Liberal Party will be holding a convention in St. Stephen this weekend to choose its candidate for an upcoming byelection.
There are currently two names on the ballot: Tony Mann, and former MP Karen Ludwig.
“I’m very excited. I believe we have two excellent candidates there. Ms. Karen Ludwig, Mr. Tony Mann, both well known in the area, both with a great deal of experience,” said Liberal leader Kevin Vickers.
“In Karen’s case, of course, she had been the Member of Parliament for that area for a period of time, and Mr. Mann as well is very well experienced in the political field.”
Vickers says he hopes Premier Blaine Higgs calls the byelection as soon as possible as St. Croix has been without representation since the death of Greg Thompson in September.
‘We’ve seen some very serious issues being discussed in the legislature, and it’s always a concern when people are without a voice in the legislature, so we’re hoping that (Higgs) will do that very soon and get the byelection underway as quick as possible,” he said.
Higgs has until March 10th to call the election.
Also running in the byelection is Kathy Bockus for the Progressive Conservatives and Rod Cumberland for the People’s Alliance Party. The Greens and the NDP have yet to announce any candidates.
Vickers says there is a slate of strong candidates from each party in the riding.
“It should be a very interesting race. Mr. Cumberland is well-known in the area for the People’s Alliance Party, Ms. Bockus is also well-known, but I am very confident that whoever is nominated as our candidate will take us to victory,” he said.
Vickers says the Liberals are the only party so far to have an actual nomination process, compared to the Progressive Conservatives and the People’s Alliance who simply selected their candidates.
The nomination convention will take place at the Garcelon Civic Centre this Saturday at 2 p.m. Registration opens at 12 p.m.
Only members of the New Brunswick Liberal Association who live in the riding will be able to vote. More information can be found online.
Meanwhile, Vickers is the sole candidate so far for the byelection in Shediac Bay-Dieppe, which previously belonged to former premier Brian Gallant, and is safely considered a Liberal stronghold in the province.
Liberals say they will give equal attention to both ridings.
“I am focused, and we have a team in place already ready to face whatever challengers may present themselves. This is a contest, and I am going to make sure that I’m completely up for the challenge and prepared to compete in a healthy byelection,” he said.
