MHA Kevin Parsons leaves daughter's wedding to cast 3rd ballot vote

One MHA left his own daughter's wedding celebration early to cast his vote in the third ballot vote for the Progressive Conservative leadership race in St. John's on Saturday night.

Kevin Parsons said he was flabbergasted to learn that there was no winner declared after the second ballot at the St. John's leadership convention, particularly as he had already left the hall to attend his daughter's wedding in Flatrock. 

She said, "Dad, go vote"- Kevin Parsons

"Obviously her wedding was planned long before this convention, so today she had it arranged that I could go do the pictures early so I could get here for the first vote, and then I told her that I would be there by five to 6, which I was, after the second vote," said Parsons.

Events took an unexpected turn when PC officials said there was "no clear majority" between leadership candidates Paul Davis and John Ottenheimer. 

Kevin Parsons said he has an understanding daughter, who sent him off to vote when news broke about a third ballot.

"We never anticipated a third vote, so before I left the hall I said to her, 'Nicole, are you sure you're OK with this?' and she said, 'Dad, go vote.'"

Parsons, who represents the district of Cape St. Francis and who is supporting Davis, said it's a very important weekend for the entire Tory party.

'This can't be happening'

"When I was on my BlackBerry at the wedding and I was texting someone saying, 'Give me the votes, give me the votes,' … then they came back and said we're going to go to the third vote, I was like, 'Oh, no, this can't be happening,'" said Parsons.

But Parsons said he managed to get through his day without missing his daughter's ceremony, while also managing to cast his vote in all three ballots.

Parsons said while is loyal to the party, his memories will be focused on the other event he attended on Saturday. 

"This is a day that I'll never forget," he said.