Former federal conservative candidate David Brazil admits that perceptions of Pierre Poilievre were one of his biggest challenges on the campaign trail.
Brazil, a longtime MHA and former PC party leader, was soundly defeated in St. John’s East by incumbent Liberal Joanne Thompson.
Some of the signs representing candidates in St. John’s East in the 2025 federal election. (VOCM News)
At the door, Brazil admits that there was a “fear factor” around what is happening with US President Donald Trump. People were also apprehensive about supporting Poilievre, questioning what he stands for and what type of person he is.
“I heard it thousands of times, ‘Mr. Brazil I would love to vote for you, love what you did provincially, think you’d be a great member, but I can’t support your leader.'” Brazil says he wouldn’t get into debates about it, but when people asked him questions about what the party stands for he was “very explicit” in clarifying their policies and what he knows about Poilievre.
