Federal member of parliament Bill Matthews (Lib., Random-Burin-St. George's) announced on Tuesday he will wind up his 25 year career in politics when the writ is dropped for the next federal election.Matthews was first elected in 1982 as a provincial Progressive Conservative. He moved to federal politics in 1997 and crossed the floor to sit as a Liberal under Jean Chretien.
Speculation will now mount to see who might try to replace him.
Among the names likely to surface: former provincial Liberal cabinet minister Kevin Aylward, who represented a provincial seat in the western end of the riding. Current Liberal member of the House of Assembly Judy Foote's name will also likely be tossed around. Her provincial district is in the eastern end of the riding.
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