Jamie Baillie wasted little time getting into election mode.
Minutes after announcing he’ll seek office in Cumberland South, the interim Progressive Conservative leader was touring the riding yesterday with outgoing MLA Murray Scott.
“I am ready to go,” Baillie told Metro, adding he hopes a byelection will be called before the fall sitting of the legislature.
Baillie announced his candidacy at the same press conference in Springhill that Scott announced his resignation.
Scott has held Cumberland South since he was first elected in 1998, defeating his closest opponents by healthy margins throughout his career. The former Tory cabinet minister said he wants to spend more time with his family.
Premier Darrell Dexter thanked Scott for his years of public service in a press release yesterday, praising his work ethic and commitment to his constituents.
Scott’s resignation is a convenient turn of events for Baillie, who will be officially made leader at a party convention in October.
With Scott’s departure, Baillie has a shot at winning a seat before the convention, depending on when the government calls a byelection for the riding.
