PC leadership candidates in final days of campaign

Three months of campaigning will end in a decision at a leadership convention Saturday in Charlottetown for the three candidates looking to lead P.E.I.'s Progressive Conservatives.

James Aylward, Darlene Compton and Rob Lantz are using different tactics to get the votes from Tory members they need to win the convention.

Lantz has a computer database where he can tick off names of party members who have promised him their votes. He's also recorded robocalls to remind them to vote.

"We actually did use some automated telephone messages that I recorded to send out and remind people about advance poll dates," said Lantz.

"I only received one negative comment about it."

Lantz said he's focussing on talking to card-carrying Progressive Conservatives who can help him win the leadership.

James Aylward said he's playing the long game, talking to everyone, because there is an election expected in the spring as well as the leadership to think about.

"There's a lot of people out there that have memberships that aren't really every day, active in party. You don't always know who they are," said Aylward.

"It's so important to talk to everyone - regardless of their political stripe - if you're looking to be in public life."

Darlene Compton has been using the PC party list as her guide, with contacts in each district to help her find potential supporters. She has been putting herself out there as well.

"Trying to get out to meet as many Islanders as I can," said Compton.

"I feel Islanders are smart enough to decide who they want as a candidate and who they feel will be best person to go up against Wade MacLauchlan. I do ask for their support, but I don't believe in putting them on the spot."

All three candidates say the leadership could go to any one of them.