Voting closes at noon, and the next leader will be revealed following a Q&A session scheduled for 2:20 p.m.Published May 03, 2025 • Last updated 18 hours ago • 4 minute readJohn Hogan, left, and John Abbott, right, are the two contenders for the NL Liberal leadership race.The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party is on the cusp of selecting its new leader — and the province’s next premier.On May 3, upwards of 300 party members and supporters gathered at the Jag Hotel in St. John’s for the second day of the leadership convention. This weekend marks the official departure of Premier Andrew Furey and the introduction of the party’s future direction.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThroughout the afternoon, The Telegram will bring readers live updates from the convention, including the candidate Q&A, the final countdown to the vote and the winner’s announcement.Two candidates are in the running: John Hogan and John Abbott, both former cabinet ministers under Premier Furey’s government. The first candidate to reach 20,001 points will be the next Liberal leader of NL. Provincial Liberal leadership candidate John Hogan. Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith Gosse/The TelegramWho are the candidates?John Hogan, MHA for Windsor Lake, served as the province’s justice minister, health minister, and attorney general. Before politics, he was a lawyer and a longtime volunteer in the community.Hogan had a hand in helping with Furey’s election campaign and was asked by Furey to run as MHA. John Abbott, MHA for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, was minister of transportation and infrastructure, housing, mental health and addiction services. His background includes decades in the provincial civil service.Abbott ran against Furey in the 2021 provincial election, and though things didn’t work out that time, he told The Telegram he’s feeling good about his chances this time based on feedback he’s heard from voters.Article content Provincial Liberal leadership candidate John Abbott. Photo by Keith Gosse /Keith Gosse/The TelegramVoting closes at noon, and the next leader will be revealed following a Q&A session scheduled for 2:20 p.m.Read More Which John will win? Liberals will choose Abbott or Hogan as next leader May 3 UPDATED: NL Premier Andrew Furey announces he’s stepping down, calls it ‘a wild and unprecedented journey’ Liberal Leadership Race: Hogan wants Newfoundlanders to know he’ll have their back Liberal Leadership Race: Abbott says NL residents will see immediate change if he becomes premier By 3:00 p.m., a new Liberal leader and the province’s 15 premier will be chosen. Tune into The Telegrams live coverage starting at 1:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/fN8nANhI8k— C (@cameronkilfoy) May 3, 2025Article contentCandidates hold a Q&AFirst question: What does it mean to have Liberal values? Abbott: Modern liberalism is focused on social justice, on the government that knows when and can and should intervene to address the social inequalities we have in this province, in this country and across the world. And that’s what I’m interested in, and I built my platform around those principles.Hogan: What it means it means everybody should be treated equally, regardless of where you’re from, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, and all those things that keep going. That list continues to grow as we go forward in the future. It continues to grow and expand. And that, I think, defines who we are as liberals is that we always have an open mind to listen to everybody’s concerns and to be there for them.What made you get into politics?Hogan: Always had an interest. Been in the background for a long time, saw progress under Furey. Excited to carry on and be at the forefront now.Article contentAbbott: Came a point where he knew he had to step forward if he wanted to see things he saw as valuable to the province.Article contentFavourite place in the province to travel?Hogan: It takes a lot of time to cover the whole province. Beautiful places from corner to corner, all the districts are beautiful.Abbott: On a backpacking trip across the island, I saw Beothuk Lake and and to see the majesty of the land, unfiltered by just the stairs during the night, the mosquitoes and black flags during the day, and also trying to make sure I could get water the lake to make sure I didn’t die.Who would you say is your political inspiration? Abbott: Queen Elizabeth for her steadfast public service. On a personal level, my parents and their hard work and commitment to education and family values. Even Joey Smallwood, every subsequent premier since and Furey.Hogan: Wouldn’t be here without his parents, who served the province well. My wife and my two kids were the reason to do it to get involved in politics. We all want to leave a mark, and it’s about making a mark for those who come behind us.Why do you want to be premier? Article contentHogan: A lot of ups and downs over the past number of years, but we need to keep the ups going. We need Liberals in Canada, and we need them in NL too. People want hope, values, and they want that here, too.Abbott: It would be a great honour. Believe I am up to the task and would build on the work of previous premiers. What’s truly important is embracing culture, values and society.The Q&A has now ended. Live results are coming up, The Telegram will have more as it is available.Vote countThe winning candidate is set to be chosen by a point-based system, which has been in place for the last three elections, instead of the raw vote count.Judy Morrow, chairperson 2025 Liberal leadership election committee said all 40 districts across the province are equally weighted each district is allotted 1,000 points, and if one candidate receives 75 per cent of the vote in a particular district, they will be allotted 750 points, the other would receive 250 points.The first candidate to reach 20,001 points will be the next Liberal leader of NL, said Morrow. Currently, Chief Returning Officer, Keith White and the party present are taking the stage to validate the votes.Stack has announced the winner: John Hogan, with 77.48 per cent of the vote, is the Premier-designate of Newfoundland and Labrador.Abbott came in second place, 22.52 per cent of the vote.More to come with the province’s 15 premier.Article content
NL LIBERAL LEADERSHIP: Live coverage of leadership convention to choose NL’s next premier
