2026 Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election
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| Date | October 7, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Resigning leader | Blaine Higgs |
| Candidates | 2 |
| Entrance fee | $35,000[1] |
| Spending limit | $250,000 |
In 2026, the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick will hold a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to replace Glen Savoie, who became leader on an interim basis following the resignation of Blaine Higgs. Higgs announced his resignation after being defeated in the 2024 New Brunswick general election.[2]
- October 21, 2024 – Blaine Higgs, the leader of the party since 2016 and premier of New Brunswick since 2018, was defeated at the 2024 general election.[3] He resigned as leader after being unseated in his own district.[4] The party lost nine seats at the election, with a total of 16 seats remaining.
- October 28, 2024 – Saint John East MLA Glen Savoie was announced as interim party leader.[1][5]
- May 13, 2025 – Leadership election rules adopted by the party's provincial council.
- October 18, 2025 – Former Moncton East MLA Daniel Allain announces his candidacy.
- October 20, 2025 – Campaign period start date.[6]
- February 7, 2026 – Arcadia-Butternut Valley-Maple Hills MLA Don Monahan announces his candidacy.
- June 19, 2026 – Candidate application deadline.
- July 17, 2026 – Candidate review deadline.
- July 31, 2026 – Ballot qualification deadline for approved candidates.
- August 14, 2026 – Last day to join the party to vote.
- October 17, 2026 – Leadership convention takes place.
Rules
The election rules were announced in May 2025. To qualify on the ballot, candidates need to collect 500 endorsements from party members, with regional considerations. They also need to donate at least $35,000 to the party and abide by a spending limit of $250,000. Voting will be conducted by mail, using a ranked choice voting system.[2]
Candidates
Declared
- Daniel Allain, MLA Moncton East (2020–2024), former Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform (2020–2023)[7] (declared on October 18, 2025)
- Don Monahan, MLA Arcadia-Butternut Valley-Maple Hills[8] (declared on February 7, 2026)
Declined
- Kris Austin, MLA for Fredericton-Grand Lake (2018–present), former Minister of Public Safety (2022–2024), former leader of the People's Alliance of New Brunswick (2010–2022)[9]
- Glen Savoie, MLA for Saint John East (2010–2014, 2014–present), Leader of the Opposition in New Brunswick (2024–present), interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (2024–present), former Minister of Local Government (2023–2024)[10]
Endorsements
Endorsements of Daniel Allain
Current MLAs (5)
- Kathy Bockus, MLA for Saint Croix (2020–present)
- Bill Oliver, MLA for Kings Centre (2014–present)[7]
- Kevin Russell, MLA for Miramichi West (2025–present)[7]
- Tammy Scott-Wallace, MLA for Sussex-Three Rivers (2020–present)[7]
- Rob Weir, MLA for Riverview (2024–present)[7]
Former MLAs (15)
- Jack Carr, MLA for New Maryland-Sunbury (2008-2014)
- Gary Crossman, MLA for Hampton (2014-2024)
- Mike Dawson, MLA for Miramichi West (2022–2025)[7]
- Bruce Fitch, MLA for Riverview (2003–2024)[7]
- Ted Flemming, MLA for Rothesay (2012–2024)
- Mike Holland, MLA for Albert (2018–2024)
- Claude Landry, MLA for Tracadie-Sheila (2006–2014)
- Wes McLean, MLA for Victoria-Tobique (2010–2014)
- Rose-May Poirier, MLA for Rogersville-Kouchibouguac (1999–2010)[7]
- Réjean Savoie, MLA for Miramichi Bay-Neguac (1999–2003, 2022–2024)[7]
- Ernie Steeves, MLA for Moncton Northwest (2014–2024)[7]
- Robert Trevors, MLA for Miramichi Centre (2010-2014)
- Greg Turner, MLA for Moncton South (2020–2024)[7]
- Carl Urquhart, MLA for York (2006-2010), Carleton York (2014-2020)
- Rodney Weston, MLA for Saint John-Fundy (1999–2003) and MP for Saint John—Kennebecasis (2008–2015)
- Ross Wetmore, MLA for Grand Lake-Gagetown (2010–2014), Gagetown-Petitcodiac (2014–2024)
Endorsements of Don Monahan
Current MLAs (4)
- Richard Ames, MLA for Carleton-York (2020–present)
- Kris Austin, MLA for Fredericton-Grand Lake (2018–present) and former People's Alliance of New Brunswick leader (2010–2022)
- Mary Wilson, MLA for Oromocto-Sunbury (2024–present), Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton (2018–2024)
- Sherry Wilson, MLA for Albert-Riverview (2024–present), Moncton Southwest (2014–2024)
