New Brunswick Progressive Conservative leader Blaine Higgs will no longer be the representative for Quispamsis, Global News projects.
Higgs, who was seeking a third term as premier, has lost his riding to Liberal Aaron Kennedy – a trend mirroring the ultimate result: a Liberal majority with Susan Holt becoming the province’s first female premier, according to Global’s projection.
“It’s certainly not the night we hoped for but nevertheless, it is what it is,” he told supporters at his election gathering on Monday.
Higgs said his party will begin discussing leadership transition in the coming days.
“After those discussions are complete, I will make a formal announcement,” he added.
Higgs, 70, has been leader of the PCs since 2016, and premier of New Brunswick since 2018. He was first elected to the legislature in 2010.
Global News projected a Liberal majority government Monday night after a 33-day campaign that was considered a tight race between Holt and Higgs.
At dissolution more than a month ago, the Conservatives held 25 seats in the 49-seat legislature. The Liberals held 16 seats, the Greens had three, there was one Independent and there were four vacancies.
More to come.