3 possible contenders emerge to replace Premier Furey, just a day after he said he's resigning
John Abbott, John Hogan say they're considering a run at Liberal leadership. Siobhan Coady hasn't ruled it out
Just a day after Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey announced his resignation, at least three high profile Liberal candidates say they're considering putting their names forward to be the next leader of the party.
One of them is Housing and Mental Health and Addictions Minister John Abbott, who ran against Furey in the 2020 Liberal leadership race before being elected as the MHA for St. John's East-Quidi Vidi.
On Wednesday, Abbott told CBC News that he is considering making another run at the province's top job, but also paused another political announcement in the wake of Furey's resignation.
Abbott said he had planned to announce on Wednesday that he would be taking his political aspirations federal, seeking the Liberal nomination in the new riding of Cape Spear.
Furey, elected in August 2020, told the province on Tuesday that he and his family couldn't commit to another full term in office. Instead, he's choosing to return to his career as an orthopedic surgeon.
The news sent ripples throughout the province and was a shocker to most — including deputy premier Siobhan Coady.
Coady told reporters she learned of Furey's decision only minutes before his resignation speech. When asked if she'd put her name forward to be his successor, she didn't rule it out.
"Let me take a few days," Coady said Tuesday. "I think there will be a lot of people who will think about this over the next number of days."
Abbott and Coady aren't the only ones eyeing the top job in Confederation Building.
In an email to CBC News on Wednesday, Health Minister John Hogan said he was considering a run at leadership. Hogan was a key figure in Furey's 2020 leadership campaign, and said he wouldn't be in politics without Furey's encouragement.
Speaking with reporters after his announcement, Furey said he wouldn't endorse anyone to be his successor at this stage.
Excited for the future: party president
Ashley Power-Stack, president of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, said the process to find the next leader will likely start sooner rather than later.
"We will be sure to have a process that's fair, equitable, that's able to reach as many people across the province," she said.
"We have a great opportunity for somebody to step up and try to continue to push the province forward."
But while the process needs to begin soon, Power-Stack said the party is also taking time to mark Furey's accomplishments.
"I believe our 14th premier will go down in history as one of the most effective leaders of our province," she said.
"Nobody comes to this decision easily. He must have struggled with it for a long time. But it was time for him and his family, so I certainly respect that and I'm excited for the future."
Provincial legislation mandates an election happen before the next winter, and Power-Stack said the party will be ready whenever the new leader makes that call.
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With files from Terry Roberts