Blaine Higgs set to run for Progressive Conservative leader
CBC News | Posted: March 16, 2016 10:45 AM | Last Updated: March 16, 2016
Former PC finance minister to enter race with announcement in Quispamsis on Thursday
Former Progressive Conservative finance minister Blaine Higgs will officially enter the party's leadership race on Thursday.
Higgs is scheduled to make the announcement Thursday in his riding of Quispamsis.
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Higgs was first elected in 2010 and served as finance minister in David Alward's government, establishing a reputation for straight talk and desire to cut government spending.
When the Alward government was defeated in 2014, Higgs retained his seat as the MLA for Quispamsis.
Prior to entering politics, Higgs was an executive with Irving Oil Ltd. in Saint John.
The party's leadership opened up when Alward resigned following the 2014 election loss and was later named Canada's consul general in Boston.
The party's leadership convention is scheduled for Oct. 22 in Fredericton.
Brian Macdonald, the MLA for Fredericton West-Hanwell, was the first candidate to officially enter the race.
Saint John Mayor Mel Norton and former Tobique Mactaquac MP Mike Allen are also considering entering the race.
Riverview MLA Bruce Fitch has been leading the Tories on an interim basis.