One more try to convince MacEwen to run for PC leadership

On the agenda at a meeting Tuesday night of the Progressive Conservative District 7 Association: try (once again) to convince the district's MLA Sidney MacEwen to run for the PC leadership.

It won't be the first time, and so far the MLA for the district of Morell-Mermaid has rebuffed all previous attempts to get him to throw his hat in the ring.

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"It's not an easy decision for him," said district president Al MacKay, noting MacEwen has a young family and a busy life that includes coaching hockey and fishing lobster, besides his duties as an MLA.

MacEwen to announce "final decision" very soon

MacEwen declined to be interviewed on the topic of leadership until after the meeting, but acknowledged he has been asked, and so far declined, to throw his hat in the ring for the PCs.

First of all he's a fresh face, and second of all he conducts himself very well in the legislature.- Al MacKay

"The party will know our family's final decision on leadership intentions very soon," he said in an email.

MacKay, who also sits on the provincial executive for the PCs, said the party's recruiting committee has tried to convince MacEwen to run, and party members have approached the district association to try to get MacEwen to reconsider.

"First of all he's a fresh face, and second of all he conducts himself very well in the legislature," MacKay offered as an explanation for the push to get MacEwen to run. "He's a smart guy, he makes sure he has his facts straight before he speaks to something."

One in the race, others considering

So far retired Summerside businessman Alan Mulholland is the only person to express his intention of running for the leadership. The official nomination period began April 3 – the day before the spring sitting of the P.E.I. Legislature began.

MacKay suggested now that the sitting is over, MLAs who are interested in the position may start to come forward.

CBC News contacted all eight PC MLAs to ask them whether they planned to run for the leadership.

Belfast-Murray River MLA Darlene Compton said she was considering another run, after trying for the leadership the last time it was up for grabs in 2015.

Rustico-Emerald MLA Brad Trivers also said he's giving serious consideration to making a bid, and started filling out the paperwork this week.

Another candidate from the last convention, Stratford-Kinlock MLA James Aylward, said he hadn't made a decision.

Previous leader failed to win seat

Georgetown-St. Peters MLA Steven Myers said he also hasn't made a decision, while interim leader Jamie Fox said he would not try to become the party's permanent leader. 

The party has been without a leader since Rob Lantz stepped down in September 2015, after failing to win a seat in the provincial election the previous May.

The PC leadership convention will be held Oct. 20.

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