Who will succeed Andrew Furey as the Liberal leader and premier of New Zealand? That is the key question.
After nearly four and a half years in office, Furey made his announcement Feb. 25, but told reporters that he would stay on until a new leader was chosen.
Furey did not endorse a potential successor when he gave the news; however, there are several registered Liberals considering throwing their name in the ring for leader.
Since Furey wasn’t a serving politician when he campaigned for premier, anything may happen, but these are some potential candidates for the position among the politicians we know.
John Abbott, the current Minister of Housing, Mental Health, and Addictions, challenged Furey for the Liberal leadership in 2020.
He told The Telegram he’s actively considering running for leadership and premiership again in 2025.
But it’s a great duty and a job that never stops, as the premier stated in his remarks. Given all the difficulties we face, anybody is thinking about this today must consider the long term, Abbott stated. “There is also the obvious impact on family.”
He went on to say that he is considering each of these aspects before coming to a choice.
The St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi district is represented by Abbott, who was elected to the House of Assembly in 2021. He has served in the Cabinets of Children, Seniors, Social Development, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
Additionally, he held the position of deputy health minister during the administrations of Danny Williams and Dwight Ball.
Former Liberal Party Leader Yvonne Jones, who led the party from 2007 to 2011, claims she has been asked to contemplate a second leadership bid.
Jones has a long political career that includes both federal and provincial service. As a member of the Liberal caucus, she was elected to the House of Commons in 2013 to represent Labrador. However, she said in January that she would be leaving federal politics following the following election.
Jones has been a mainstay of the Newfoundland and Labrador political landscape for over 30 years. She was elected as an Independent member of the provincial House of Assembly in 1996, representing the Cartwright-L’anse au Clair district in southeast Labrador, after serving as mayor of her hometown of Mary’s Harbour in southeastern Labrador from 1991 to 1996.
In 1999, she would be re-elected as a member of the provincial Liberal Party, gaining cabinet positions as the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Jones continued to serve in the provincial legislature following the Liberals’ 2003 defeat, eventually becoming the Liberal Party’s temporary leader and the Official Leader of the Opposition in 2007.
“I find it intriguing to run for provincial politics again,” she remarked.
“I’m thinking about it. Liberals throughout the province have shown amazing outreach and support,” Jones added.
Until she sees the rules and deadlines for running as the leader, she continued, it’s difficult for her to commit at this moment.
Until she sees the rules and deadlines for running as the leader, she continued, it’s difficult for her to commit at this moment.
John Hogan, who has served as Health and Community Services’ minister since July 2024, stated that he is “absolutely considering at this stage” running for office.
He continued, “I’m still discussing this choice with my friends, family, coworkers, and supporters.”
In the second year of Health Accord NL, a 10-year plan to revamp the province’s healthcare system, Hogan has played a pivotal role.
In December 2024, Hogan expressed his satisfaction with the progress thus far to The Telegram.
Hogan is the MHA for Windsor Lake and a member of the King’s Council.
In addition to his position as Health Minister, he has served as Attorney General and as a minister of Justice and Public Safety.
As a logical successor, Coady has been the Deputy Premier since 2020. She is currently the Minister of Finance as well. Fifth Ad
Coady might be well-positioned to serve because she manages the province’s budget and collaborates closely with Furey. On February 27, Coady stated in an interview with The Telegram that she is thinking about running for office.
She said she is talking to friends and family about the issue, but she hasn’t made a decision yet.
Since 2008, Coady has also been involved in politics for a long time. If she were to run and win, she would become the province’s second female premier, but she wouldn’t be the first female Liberal leader.
Another Liberal member with both federal and provincial experience is Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture.
The Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte region was represented by him as a Member of Parliament until 2015. He succeeded Brian Tobin in 1996. He has been MHA for Corner Brook since 2015.
During the Dwight Ball government, Byrne was initially appointed as Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Labor. He has also served as Minister of Immigration, Skills, and Labour.
Byrne said that he had nothing to say when asked if he was thinking about running for leadership.
Ashley Power-Stack, the president of the Liberal Party of NL, stated that since 2021, they have been getting ready for an election.
The leadership campaign process formally began when Furey made his announcement.
According to Power-Stack, “as an executive committee, we have begun to review the rules based on what we had in place for the 2020 leadership election.”
“This has become our top priority as a team of volunteers who put everything else on hold.”
On February 26, the executive council convened to go over the regulations and make sure everything was in order. Following the assessment, the board will convene to finalize and approve the regulations before they are made public, she noted.
When the leadership race will take place was not specified.
“We’ve done this before. We’re confident in our processes. In the next few days, we’ll refine them and have more information,” Power-Stack stated.
In terms of timing, Power-Stack then stated that it will establish the benchmarks. A lot of things affect the schedule, such as how resources are distributed, how registered Liberals are vetted, and whether voting systems are prepared.
Power-Stack said that any registered Liberal can enter the leadership race.
“We’re really happy that the premier has given the Liberal Party of NL this runway with the set election date, and we have plenty of time to organize and continue to build upon the work that we’ve been doing since February of 2021,” Power-Stack stated.
Our premier’s work is something we are proud of, and I have no doubt that we will conduct a very rigorous leadership process.