Grand Falls-Windsor Mayor Al Hawkins makes bid to become MHA
Mayor to seek Liberal nod in Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South
Al Hawkins, the mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor officially announced on Thursday he would be seeking the Liberal nomination for Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay South.
Hawkins — who was widely expected to join the race — also said he has always been a Liberal, even though the governing Tories has appointed him to the boards of Nalcor Energy and other agencies, and even some Tories had assumed he was one of their own.
"I can understand why there was somewhat of confusion out there," Hawkins said.
"Obviously my appointment to the Nalcor board would've tended to make people think I'm leaning towards the PC Party."
Hawkins said he'll be staying on as mayor through his campaign for the nomination, and has resigned from his positions on the board of directors of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Bull Arm Fabrication and Nalcor.
He said stepping down from those roles wasn't an easy choice to make.
"It was an opportunity for me at a very important time in our history, with the development of Muskrat Falls, and being a part of that. It was certainly a great experience for me, and that decision was not an easy one," said Hawkins.
The seat Hawkins is currently held by Progressive Conservative MHA Ray Hunter, who is rumoured to be retiring after this term.
Hawkins said he doesn't actually live in the district he wants to represent. Rather, he lives in Susan Sullivan's adjoining district of Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans.
There has been no date set for a Liberal nomination in that district, but Hawkins said he plans to get more familiar with the district's issues until that time.