New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives choose between Daniel Allain and Don Monahan

Fredericton, New Brunswick

The party names its new leader late Saturday afternoon in Fredericton, and about 5,600 members were eligible to vote, interim leader Glen Savoie said.

Daniel Allain runs on his political experience and wants to rebuild the party in all 49 ridings, while Don Monahan calls himself the candidate of change, with no career in politics.

"There is a clear change. Neither Daniel Allain nor Don Monahan has the acrimonious tone toward francophones that Blaine Higgs had."

— Gabriel Arsenault, Université de Moncton political scientist

Background

Both candidates are bilingual, unlike former leader Blaine Higgs, premier from 2018 to 2024, whose October 2024 defeat Arsenault ties largely to a lack of francophone support.

The new leader's tasks

• Step away from the Higgs years
• Stand apart from Susan Holt's Liberals
• Keep the party united

The next leader must stand apart from the Higgs years and from Premier Susan Holt's Liberal government, Arsenault says, while interim leader Glen Savoie wants the party to stay united.