Beth Marshall’s elevation to the Antechamber to the Kingdom of Heaven started the inevitable by-election speculation almost immediately.
One will have to be called within 60 days of Marshall vacating the seat. Under local election laws, that means that people can start looking for special ballots today.
Odds are it will be called immediately after the Olympics are over. The provincial government has popped for too many tickets to make everyone – the Premier included – cancel their trip to wet coast in order to stay home and fight a by-election.
The thing will be knocked off as quick as you please so the new member can sit in the spring session of the legislature.
And who might that member be?
Well, on the Conservative side, the name of failed paradise mayoral candidate Kurtis Coombs has popped up right away. Let’s just say he has a certain Kent-like cache to him right at the moment that might appeal to party leaders of a certain style.
Beth’s constituency assistant would be a logical choice as well since the provincial Conservatives seem to be in that phase where the most likely candidates come from political staff. But maybe not since Beth is likely to be moving her crew to the federal payroll.
That leads very quickly back to young Mr. Coombs.
Look for that name to come up more and more in the next few days.
On the Liberal side, people will likely cycle through some of the usual names. There won’t be too many people from the metro area who are likely to come forward.
Peter Dawe is already being courted to sub for Paul Antle in St. John’s East federally next time so take them both off your list.
Jim Walsh has a previous engagement so he won’t be staging a political comeback soon.
Ralph Wiseman?
Way outside chance, but then again, your humble e-scribbler didn’t call Beth right for the senate seat.
Those are just the early names. More are sure to turn up as the date for the by-election call gets closer.
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