Just 2 candidates square off in Harbour Grace-Port de Grave rematch
Both sat in the legislature before, leaving voters chance to base decision on candidates' political records
When Glenn Littlejohn ran in the last provincial election, he could almost predict the outcome: he would be unseated by a Liberal newcomer.
This time around, the Tory candidate, who served one term as MHA, says he is noticing something different at the door.
"People said, 'Glenn, I hope you're running. Things will be different this time. You should give it a go,'" Littlejohn said Monday, in an interview in Bareneed, which is in the district of Harbour Grace-Port de Grave.
"It just feels different this time."
Littlejohn says the Liberals' 2016 budget left a sting that hasn't yet gone away, and he suspects it will be beneficial for the Tories when voters go to the polls.
Credit for Coley's Point school
His sole opponent, incumbent Pam Parsons, who defeated Littlejohn in the last election, is just as confident in her chances.
She touts successes in the district since taking 60 per cent of the vote in 2015, like construction of a replacement for aging Coley's Point Primary.
The project had been noted in provincial budgets since 2013, with no movement despite years of complaints from educators and parents.
"I made this a top priority. And any time I stood in the House of Assembly or in the media, I lobbied and advocated for Coley's Point Primary replacement," Parsons said, standing in the empty lot where the school will sit.
Parsons credits educators, students and the community for making the project happen.
But Littlejohn says Parsons is taking credit for a project that began before she was voted in.
"We were ready to go with the school, [then] the Liberal government decided to delay it for three years and all of a sudden it pops up in an election campaign," Littlejohn said.
Parsons, though, is quick to point out it is the Liberal government paying for the school, despite promises by the former government.
"Promises are no good when it's not delivered," she said
"Put your money where your mouth is, and our government did — $16.2 million, to be exact."
What about Muskrat Falls?
The weight of Muskrat Falls has followed Littlejohn to the door as he campaigns, he admits, but says it is not the predominant issue raised by residents.
"It does come up and they ask me to answer it," said Littlejohn, who voted with his party to approve the controversial hydroelectric project.
"Muskrat Falls didn't turn out the way anyone wanted.… You go on the information you had at the time."
Neither the NL Alliance or New Democrats have candidates in the running. There are 16 districts with just two candidates.
Nearly 15,000 people live in the district, which encompasses Harbour Grace, Bay Roberts, Port de Grave, Spaniard's Bay and Upper Island Cove.
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