C.B.S. Mayor Ken McDonald seeking federal Liberal nomination in Avalon
Not worried about running against Independent Scott Andrews or splitting pro-Liberal vote
Ken McDonald, the Conception Bay South mayor who on Wednesday declared his desire to represent the riding of Avalon in Parliament, says he is confident about potentially squaring off against incumbent Scott Andrews in the fall election.
McDonald is seeking the Liberal nomination for the eastern Newfoundland riding, which is currently held by Andrews — a figure of controversy who was ousted from the Liberal caucus in March amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
McDonald, who declared his candidacy at the Conception Bay South Lions Club, said he is not worried about a potential conflict if Andrews decides to run as an Independent in the October election, and added that he told Andrews exactly that when the pair met two weeks ago.
I think it'll be the other way around. I'll be hauling support from him.- Ken McDonald
"I politely told him, well, if you decide to run as Independent, if I get the Liberal nomination, I'll be running against you," McDonald told reporters.
"I'm convinced that the party trend will be stronger than it will be for the individual as an Independent, and I told Scott Andrews that in our meeting."
Like McDonald, Andrews has served on the Conception Bay South town council and has a bloc of support in that area of Avalon, which is otherwise a rural riding cover much of the Avalon Peninsula.
"[Andrews] said, 'Are you worried about me running as an Independent and possibly splitting the vote?' And I said no," McDonald said.
Andrews to announce decision this summer
When asked if he was worried about whether Andrews might take votes from his campaign, McDonald said, "No, I think it'll be the other way around. I'll be hauling support from him."
Andrews, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, has been soliciting feedback from his constituents on his political future.
Andrews declined an interview request from CBC News, but said that he would make a decision by August.
Meanwhile, McDonald addressed the fact that he is seeking a federal political career before he has completed his first term as mayor. He was elected to the position in September 2013, after serving seven years as a councillor.
"It's not unusual to see a municipal politician jump to the next level," he said. "Unfortunately, [the next federal election] doesn't fall at the end of a term."
McDonald will stay on as mayor until the writ drops, at which time he will take a leave of absence. If he loses, McDonald said, he will return as mayor.
Well-known personal injury lawyer Ches Crosbie has said he will seek the Conservative nomination.