Tim Houston will lead the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party.
The result was confirmed after Cecil Clarke threw his support behind Houston following the first ballot results.
A party official came over the loudspeakers to announce, “I’ve just been informed by the campaign co-chair of the Cecil Clarke campaign, that he has crossed the floor with his campaign team and endorsed Tim Houston for leader.”
New @nspc leader is @TimHoustonNS after @CecilClarkePC crosses the floor at #NSPCLDR convention. Waiting for official announcement. #nspoli pic.twitter.com/MXjVFAN1S3
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) October 27, 2018
Houston had a commanding 1,100 point lead over his next nearest opponent, Clarke.
But fell 55 points shy of the 2,551 votes needed in the first round to claim the leadership.
His position was secured when Clarke crossed the floor with his supporters.
Clarke was followed in turn by candidates John Lohr and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin.
Houston says running such a long campaign takes a toll.
“I think everyone is tired when you come out of a campaign like this. Your family is tired, your campaign team is tired. But there’s lots of work to be done, there’s a lot of balls to get into motion. We’ll enjoy it for today. We’ll get to work tomorrow.”
Houston says now that the leadership campaign is behind them, the party’s focus turns to defeating the McNeil Liberals in the next election.
Meanwhile, Cecil Clarke says it was a hard-fought campaign, but he stepped aside for the good of the party.
“No one person is bigger than the party and I was very pleased to be part of this leadership. It’s been an honour for me, and no regrets whatsoever. But we need to come out of this united as a party to win the next election.”
Clarke says he’s proud of his team and party members across the province and he walks out with his head held high.
The MLA for Queens-Shelburne is excited to see the direction the party is headed.
Kim Masland has supported Tim Houston almost from the outset and moved his nomination for leader.
She says the Progressive Conservative party is in good hands and Nova Scotians will soon see that too.
“You know, with Tim Houston, what you see is what you get. He is so genuine. He engages people like I have never seen anyone engage people before, especially our youth. And you know what, Nova Scotia? Brighter days are ahead.”
Masland was glad to see the other candidates throw their support behind Houston.
She says it makes their party a force to be reckoned with in the next election.
(Photo: Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland with Houston family)
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
