While he hasn’t reached a definite answer yet, a well known name in provincial politics has come forward and expressed what he calls “high interest” in running for the Liberal nomination in the district of Baie Verte-Springdale in October’s provincial general election.
Danny Dumaresque, past president of the Liberal party and member of the House of Assembly, has revealed that he is interested in the nomination, but will not make any decisions until the nomination is called on a date yet to be determined.
“I have a long history of the area that goes back some 25 years,” he said.
That history spans both professional and personal, and has allowed Mr. Dumaresque to become very familiar with the district.
“I’ve spent a lot of time driving through and around the communities, and meeting with many people,” he said. “It’s somewhere that I know well and I feel I can be an asset representing the people of that district.”
Mr. Dumaresque’s history in politics goes back to 1989 when he was first elected in the then riding of Eagle River in Labrador. He held that position up until 1996, until the riding was redistricted to become Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair.
In the 1996 election, he defeated Yvonne Jones for the Liberal nomination, however, Ms. Jones then ran as an independent candidate and went on to defeat him in the general election.
Ms. Jones went on to join the Liberal party caucus and today serves as leader of the party.
Despite the history between him and the current leader, Mr. Dumaresque says his relationship with the party is still strong.
“I’ve spoken with members of the Liberal party and informed them of my interest in running,” he said. “So far the response has been favourable and I feel if I do in fact decide to proceed with it, then I will have the support of the party.”
Maurice Budgell, president of the Liberal Association for Baie Verte-Springdale, says that should Mr. Dumaresque end up being the candidate for the Liberals in this district, he would support him whole-heartedly.
“Right now no nomination has been called, and there may be other names come forward for the nomination,” he said. “But if Mr. Dumaresque did in fact become the Liberal candidate in this district, I would certainly support him, along with any other Liberal candidate in the general election,” he said.
Mr. Budgell said for a party that is struggling both provincially and locally, it’s refreshing to see interested people coming forward.
“For the past while, it’s been a struggle in this district even finding someone to run,” he said. “Last time, we were a week into the election before someone came forward and showed interest – now we have people coming forward before the nomination is even called. It’s very exciting to see.”
Mr. Dumaresque last ran in the 2007 election in the district of Torngat Mountains but was defeated by Patty Pottle.
