The 2014 Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election was prompted by Kathy Dunderdale's announcement on January 22, 2014, that she was resigning as premier and party leader. On January 24, 2014, Tom Marshall was sworn in as the 11th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Prior to the nomination deadline, three accredited candidates entered the race; Frank Coleman, Bill Barry, and Wayne Bennett. On April 3, Bennett was removed from the race while on April 17, Barry voluntarily withdrew his nomination, resulting in Frank Coleman becoming leader-designate.
Coleman was to officially become office leader on July 5, and subsequently premier, however, he never took either office after abruptly announcing on June 16, 2014 that he was leaving politics due to an unspecified "significant and challenging family matter." As a result of Coleman's withdrawal, the leadership race was postponed until September 13, 2014.
Paul Davis won the election on the third ballot. On the second ballot, Davis lead John Ottenheimer by a single vote. However, due to one spoiled ballot, Davis had not received "more than 50 per cent of the valid ballots cast", as required by the party constitution. A third ballot was required; Davis won a clear majority of ballots cast on that final ballot.
Timing
On January 22, 2014, Kathy Dunderdale announced she was resigning as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party (PC Party) later that week. Dunderdale asked her Minister of Finance Tom Marshall to replace her as premier and PC Party leader until the party could select a new leader. Marshall accepted the offer and on January 24, 2014, he was sworn in as the province's 11th Premier. Marshall had previously indicated that he would not be seeking re-election as the member of the House of Assembly for Humber East and therefore would not contest the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party.
The party announced on February 5, 2014, that Sheila Kelly-Blackmore and Tommy Williams would serve as co-chairs of the leadership convention committee, and that the convention would be held on July 4–5, 2014. On February 14, the co-chairs announced that nominations would open on February 19, and close March 14, 2014.
As a result of Frank Coleman's withdrawal, the leadership race had been postponed until September 13, 2014, with candidates able to be nominated between June 23, 2014 and July 7, 2014, and delegates being chosen over a one-month period ending August 14, 2014.
Candidates
Paul Davis
MHA for Topsail (2010–2018), Minister of Health and Community Services (2014), Minister of Child, Youth, and Family Services (2013-2014), Minister of Transportation and Works (2012-2013), Minister of Service NL (2011-2012), Legislative Assistant for the Department of Municipal Affairs (2010-2011), Deputy Mayor of Conception Bay South (2005-2010) MHAs: (13) Sandy Collins (Terra Nova, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services); Tony Cornect (Port au Port, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation); Eli Cross (Bonavista North); Derrick Dalley (The Isles of Notre Dame, Minister of Natural Resources); Terry French (Conception Bay South, Minister of Justice); Vaughn Granter (Humber East, Minister of Environment and Conservation); Keith Hutchings (Ferryland, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture); Darin King (Grand Bank, Minister of Education); Glen Little (Bonavista North); Glenn Littlejohn (Port de Grave); Kevin Parsons (Cape St. Francis); Kevin Pollard (Baie Verte-Springdale); Wade Verge (Lewisporte); Former MHAs: (7) John Butt (Topsail 1979-1989, former cabinet minister) Roger Fitzgerald (Bonavista South 1993-2011, former Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador); Joe Goudie (Lake Melville 1975–1985, former cabinet minister); John Hickey (Lake Melville, 2003-2011, former cabinet minister), Paul Oram (Terra Nova 2003-2011, former cabinet minister); Milton Peach (Carbonear 1982-1989, former cabinet minister); Loyola Sullivan (Ferryland 1992-2006, former interim leader and cabinet minister) Federal politicians: (1) Peter Penashue (Labrador 2011-2013, and former cabinet minister) Municipal politicians: Date campaign launched: July 2, 2014