 His name was brought up as a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador upon the resignation of Yvonne Jones, but on August 8, 2011 he announced he was offered the job of Liberal leader but declined.On August 16, 2011, he announced he was seeking the Progressive Conservative Party nomination in the district of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi for the October 2011 provincial election.On August 19, he was acclaimed as the party's candidate for the district, unsuccessfully challenging New Democratic Party leader Lorraine Michael.