Karen Ludwig Wins St. Croix Nomination for Liberals

New Brunswick Liberal leader Kevin Vickers attended the St. Croix nomination meeting for the upcoming 2020 byelection at the Garcelon Civic Centre in Saint Stephen, New Brunswick. Vickers addressed an audience of over 200 people before eligible Liberal card-holding members cast for the two eligible candidates, Karen Ludwig of St. Andrews and Tony Mann of St. Stephen.

After 199 votes were cast and tallied, Ludwig was named the official Liberal candidate for St. Croix after receiving 177 votes, with just 22 votes going to Mann. Ludwig delivered a heartfelt victory speech, addressing her worthy opponent and the supportive crowd.

"Tony Mann is a very viable candidate. Had either one of us won, the riding would be in great shape," said Ludwig. "People came out today, and heard a message about change."

After serving four years as the MP for New Brunswick Southwest, Ludwig was defeated by John Williamson for her seat in Parliament this past fall. Despite the loss in the federal riding, Ludwig has a strong support base in the St. Andrews and St. Stephen regions and is hopeful that support will be in her favour in the upcoming by-election for the riding of St. Croix. A date has yet to be set for the critical by-election in which Vickers will also be running on behalf of the Liberal party for the other open seat in the legislature belonging to Shediac Bay-Dieppe. If both Ludwig and Vickers are victorious, the power could be shifted in the current minority government, giving the Liberals an edge over the Higgs' Progressive Conservative government.

"Obviously, Premier Higgs is the leader of the province, and it will be his decision when the by-election is called," said Vickers. "If he's willing to work in a collaborative effort with other parties, I could see him [staying in power] for some time. it's his way or the highway, I could see an election being called."