Federal NDP leader race wide open; Chow won’t run
Posted September 6, 2011 6:15 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Olivia Chow has confirmed that neither she nor Jack Layton’s son Michael will run to replace her late husband as leader of the New Democratic Party.
Most experts believe Chow would have been a serious contender, with many people across the nation calling for her to carry on her husband’s legacy.
Shortly after Layton’s untimely death rumours swirled in political circles that Chow might try to go for the federal leader and compete for the top job in the NDP.
Now that Chow has decided not to run, telling supporters she still has work to do as an MP in Toronto, political scientist Doreen Barrie says we may see more names on the ballot.
“Some people might have reconsidered if she was in the race, but now that she’s not they might be considering it more seriously, Barrie said.
Barrie added that we may see many more named on the ballot now than if Chow had decided to campaign, and we may even see some candidates from outside the House of Commons.
There are a few people openly considering a run including deputy leader Thomas Mulclair and MPs Megan Leslie, Paul Dewar, Libby Davies, along with party president Brian Topp.
No one has officially launched a campaign, but the NDP federal council meets on Friday to set a date and location for the leadership convention.
