Former Paradise mayor Dan Bobbett, known for his non-partisan municipal leadership, has ventured into provincial politics as the Liberal candidate for Topsail-Paradise. Bobbett, who served as mayor for 12 years and on the town council for two decades, recently resigned to pursue his new political path. During his time in office, the town’s population grew significantly to over 23,000 residents.
In a surprising turn of events, Bobbett had previously shown interest in the Conservative Party of Canada, aligning himself with Pierre Poilievre and even considering seeking the CPC nomination in the Cape Spear riding. However, he later backed out, citing concerns about the demands of federal politics.
Now, Bobbett has shifted his allegiance to the Liberal Party, standing alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier John Hogan as a provincial Liberal candidate. He attributed his change in political affiliation to feeling more aligned with the Liberal values and policies after his brief Conservative flirtation.
Bobbett is aiming to unseat the incumbent MHA, Paul Dinn, in the upcoming election, emphasizing the benefits of having a government representative for Topsail-Paradise. Despite his past collaboration with Dinn on the town council, they are now political rivals competing for the same seat.
When questioned about any promises from the Liberals, Bobbett denied any guaranteed positions, emphasizing his support for Hogan’s leadership and the Churchill Falls MOU. In response, Dinn refrained from criticizing Bobbett directly but highlighted his own track record of accomplishments in transportation and education.
As the electoral race intensifies, Bobbett and Dinn present differing visions for the future of Topsail-Paradise, each vying for voter support in the upcoming election.
