Wade MacLauchlan leader-designate of P.E.I. Liberal Party

Wade MacLauchlan is sole candidate for the leadership of the P.E.I. Liberal Party.

Nominations closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday and no one will run against MacLauchlan, the former University of Prince Edward Island president.

He will officially become leader and premier after the February leadership convention.

"As a proud and passionate Prince Edward Islander it's a big thing to get to be one step further down this path and closer to becoming the premier," he said.

MacLauchlan isn't giving much away on his plans for government and his transition to power.

He says time is moving fast and when he calls an election, details will emerge about which district he will run to represent.

There is speculation that several politicians in the current caucus, such as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Carolyn Bertram and Finance Minister Wes Sheridan, will not reoffer.

"This is a team effort and, of course, you have to start thinking as far ahead as you can about who that team might be and how they might work together and that's on my mind, but I certainly haven't gotten any further into that at this stage," said MacLauchlan.

"Any time you have an election it's good to have some new folks and some veterans and I'm looking forward to having a very strong team overall."