Ex-New Democrat MP Ryan Cleary lost the riding of St. John’s South-Mount Pearl to Liberal Seamus O’Regan in the recent federal election.CHRIS WATTIE/Reuters
A former federal New Democrat MP has switched his allegiance to the provincial Progressive Conservatives in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ryan Cleary announced Friday he will seek the nomination to become a Tory candidate in the riding of Windsor Lake in the upcoming provincial election.
The former federal politician was joined by Premier Paul Davis and a group of Tory members of the legislature as he made the announcement at a golf course.
If successful in winning the nomination, Cleary will run against Liberal Cathy Bennett.
Cleary lost the riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl to Liberal Seamus O'Regan in the recent federal election.
He said during the news conference that he left the NDP because he didn't see "eye-to-eye" with provincial leader Earle McCurdy.