NL

2 byelections set for Nov. 25, as Tom Marshall makes formal exit

Premier Paul Davis wasted no time calling a byelection in Humber East, with the vote announced just hours after incumbent and former premier Tom Marshall resigned.
Premier Paul Davis has called two byelections for Nov. 25. (CBC)

Premier Paul Davis wasted no time calling a byelection in the district of Humber East on Monday, with the vote announced just hours after incumbent and former premier Tom Marshall resigned.

The Humber East contest will be held Nov. 25, with another byelection to be held the same day in Trinity-Bay de Verde.

Marshall served as premier from the time Kathy Dunderdale resigned in January to Davis' victory at a leadership convention in September.

A Corner Brook lawyer, Marshall represented Humber East since 2003.

Lary Wells, Marshall's former executive assistant, will represent the governing Tories in the Humber East byelection. Businessman Stelman Flynn will represent the Liberals.

A byelection in Trinity-Bay de Verde became necessary when former finance minister Charlene Johnson resigned in September.

Late last month, Johnson's father Ronald Johnson was acclaimed as the PC party's candidate for that byelection. Steve Crocker, Liberal Leader Dwight Ball's executive assistant, is representing the Liberals.

The NDP has not yet announced candidates for either byelection.

On Wednesday, voters in Conception Bay South head to the polls to elect a new MHA in a byelection. Incumbent and former justice minister Terry French resigned in September.

In addition to three vacancies, the PCs hold 29 of the seats in the House of Assembly. The Liberals have 13 seats while the NDP has three.