Frank Coleman says 'I'm nobody's boy'

Frank Coleman wants to lead the PC party into the next provincial election. 

Coleman, who launched his campaign for the PC leadership Wednesday, is the head of the Coleman Group of Companies.  

On Thursday, he spoke with CBC Morning Show host Anthony Germain about his political aspirations.  

Coleman said before he entered the leadership race, he wanted to ensure he first had his family's support.

"Well, I am heavily involved in my family business, and I have a large family ... and I wanted to make sure everything was good with them, and square. And I have to have a lot of discussions with my partners," Coleman said.

When asked how he would respond to potential barbs from the Opposition about being 'Danny's boy,' referring to former premier Danny Williams, Coleman was concise with his response. 

"I know people don't know me that well yet — but I can assure you that I am nobody's boy. So they can say what they like, but that would be an unfair characteristic of me," he said.

"I did call him, and asked him what he thought and he told me what to do, what he would tell anyone to do. [He] encouraged me, to do it for the right reasons and make sure it was square with the family and that I had to get business interests tucked away." 

Avoiding conflict of interest 

Coleman said he has resigned as president and CEO from a paving company that he purchased with business partners in 2007.

"I resigned as director of that company some time ago, and I am actually in the process of relinquishing my shares in that company, either to the balance to my partners or to somebody else," he said.

I know people don't know me that well yet — but I can assure you that I am nobody's boy- PC leadership candidate Frank Coleman '

There are three candidates in the leadership race — Coleman, fish mogul Bill Barry and Howley town councillor Wayne Bennett.

Coleman said he's going to leave it to the PC party to decide who is the best candidate.

"Bill is a friend, and he goes way back with me and my family, and I have a lot of respect for him. I'm offering myself for this role, as he is, and I respect that," he said.

"This is a tough road. You're coming into a party where they don't enjoy the best of reputation — although it's improving in the polls, and renewal of the party is obviously important."  

Provincial PCs will choose their new leader on July 5.