Bob Doiron gets the nod to run in byelection for P.E.I. Liberal Party

Bob Doiron has wonthe Liberal Party of P.E.I.'s nomination for the upcomingbyelection in District 11, Charlottetown-Parkdale.

He defeated lone challenger Marcia Carroll at the party'snomination meeting on Monday at Birchwood Intermediate Schoolin Charlottetown.

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The Sherwood nativeis currently a Charlottetown city councillor for Ward 6 Mount Edward and will be fighting to hold on tothe newly vacated riding for the Liberals.

"I'm just overwhelmed, I just got into this six days ago when the position opened up," he said.

"I just want to take all my effort and my hard work and work for this district as much as I can. I'm so glad and happy to be part of the Liberal Party."

Doiron attendedUPEIand is a graduate of Holland College, where he obtained a diploma from the Atlantic Police Academy, according to the City of Charlottetown website. He'sbeen a member of the UPEI Security Police Department since 1987.

80 ballots were cast in the nomination meeting withno spoiled ballots.

'I took a chance'

"This was the opportunity of my life, so I took a chance," Doironsaid.

He got emotional speaking about the help he's received from friends and family leading up to the nomination meeting.

"I'm not used to asking for help, I'm not used to going asking for somebody's vote and this pushed me to the limit. I've asked for the respect of helping me and it's worked out for me."

Doironsaid when the writ is dropped he's going to ask the city for a leave from council.

Most LiberalMLAswere in attendance at thepackedBirchwoodSchool, including P.E.I. Premier WadeMacLauchlan.

TheCharlottetown-Parkdaleseat became available after Liberal MLA DougCurrieunexpectedly resigned from politics on Oct. 19.

MacLauchlan told the crowdthat he would not announce a time for the byelection, although hehas sixmonths to do so.

According to the province's Election Act, there has to be between 26 and 32 days of campaigning between the issuing of the election writ and voting day.

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