Here’s the way things are shaping up in the seven Newfoundland and Labrador ridings at the start of Election ‘11:
- St. John’s East: Held by New Democrat Jack Harris at dissolution. Harris will face Conservative Jerry Byrne and Liberal John Allan.
- St. John’s South-Mount Pearl: Held by Liberal Siobhan Coady at dissolution. She’ll face challenges from former provincial Conservative cabinet minister Loyola Sullivan and New Democrat Ryan Cleary.
- Avalon: Held by Liberal Scott Andrews at dissolution. Andrews beat Fabian Manning in 2008 and Manning will quit his senate seat on Monday to take another run at a seat in the Commons. Big question here is the potential rift internally within the Conservative camp. Provincial Conservatives including health minister Jerome! Kennedy worked hard to destroy Manning the last time out. Only time will tell if they can pry the hatchets out of each other’s skulls and bury them deep enough in the ground to elect Manning.
- Random-Burin-St.George’s: Liberal Judy Foote. Conservative Herb Davis, an ex-pat who ran against Foote last time, is the most most likely challenger again. No word on the NDP possibilities.
- Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls: Scott Simms is the Liberal seeking re-election. No word yet on NDP or Conservative challengers
- Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte: Gerry Byrne’s held the seat for the Liberals since Brian Tobin vacated it in the mid-1990s. Nil thus far on NDP or Conservative challengers.
- Labrador: Todd Russell, the Liberal stalwart will face off against Peter Penashue for the Conservatives. No word on a NDP candidate.
- srbp -