ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Former premier Dwight Ball is also a former member of the House of Assembly, having announced his resignation as MHA for Humber-Gros Morne.
“Since Premier (Andrew) Furey was officially sworn in, it became more obvious, to carry out the work of this province, he would need a seat in the legislature,” Ball said in a statement Sunday. “Today, I am resigning to allow him to pursue that seat in a byelection.”
In a news release, Furey confirmed he is seeking the nomination to run.
“It has always been my intention to run for the first available seat in the legislature,” Furey stated.
Chief electoral officer Bruce Chaulk has issued a writ of election for the byelection.
Official nomination papers with Elections Newfoundland and Labrador must be filed by candidates by Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.
The byelection will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Ball was first elected as MHA for Humber-Gros Morne in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011, before becoming premier in 2015.
On Feb. 17 of this year, Ball announced he would resign as premier of the province. The COVID-19 pandemic kept him from leaving politics when he planned since the Liberal leadership race had to be suspended. July 18 was Ball’s last day in the legislature as premier.
