Liberal wins Newfoundland district held by Progressive Conservatives for 20 years

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals have won a byelection in a district west of St. John’s that was long held by the Progressive Conservative party.

Fred Hutton is a well-known former journalist and senior adviser to Liberal Premier Andrew Furey, and he won the byelection Tuesday night in Conception Bay East—Bell Island.

Hutton finished with 2,603 votes, or 46 per cent of ballots cast, marking the first time in two decades that the district will be represented by a Liberal.

However, Hutton’s campaign materials made little mention of his party affiliation, replacing the party name with Furey’s, and the Liberals’ signature red background with white.

Tim Powers, managing director of Abacus Data, said it was a smart move for the provincial party to distance itself from the Liberal brand as the popularity of its federal counterpart droops in public opinion polls.

Hutton defeated Progressive Conservative Tina Neary, who got 38 per cent of the vote, and New Democrat Kim Churchill who got 15 per cent.

Independent candidate Darryl Harding finished with 1.2 per cent of votes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2024.

The Canadian Press