If nothing else, word that Premier Stephen McNeil's chief of staff, former journalist Laurie Graham, is seriously considering a run for her boss's soon-to-be-vacated job has ignited more interest in the Nova Scotia Liberal leadership race than would otherwise be the case at this early stage.
There seems to be an appetite among some Liberals to find their next leader — and Nova Scotia's 29th premier — outside the party's legislative caucus. But if they're looking for a leader who doesn't carry the baggage of McNeil's seven-year-old government, the inner sanctum of his office would seem a strange place to look.
It must be a little frustrating for the four or five members of McNeil's cabinet who are gauging support for leadership bids of their own, to see the political spotlight fixed on the office where it's shone relentlessly since McNeil moved in. Except now that light isn't exclusively on the premier but also engulfs his politically ambitious secondin-command.
One of the pitfalls of centralized power — and in McNeil's government, power and the attention it draws are firmly with the premier — is the shade it throws over the rest of cabinet.
Other than political junkies, most Nova Scotians couldn't pick more than one or two provincial cabinet ministers out of a police lineup.
McNeil f has contributed to that problem by taking centre stage at virtually every announcement-of-note his government makes.
If it's any consolation to the cabinet ministers considering a run at the leadership, reaction to the prospect of Graham entering the race is decidedly mixed, and skews more toward the negative than positive.
A native of Cape Breton, Graham walked away from a successful career in journalism about five years back, returned to Nova Scotia and immediately landed in McNeil's office, first as his principle secretary and soon after as chief of staff, the senior post in the office.
Her judgment came into question last February when it was discovered that she'd been told Liberal backbencher Hugh Mackay was accused of drunk driving, and her inquiry into the matter didn't go beyond talking to Mackay and his assistant, who denied the allegation.
Premier McNeil maintains that Graham never informed him of the allegation, even after Mackay was charged and convicted of drunk driving on a separate and subsequent occasion. The Chester-st. Margaret's MLA, who now sits as an independent in the legislature, has since been charged again, and this alleged offence corresponds to the allegation Graham heard and dismissed. He's pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.
Graham's supporters claim that a long career in journalism and almost five years in the premier's office equip her for the leadership and the premier's job. Some note that former Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie also served as chief of staff in a premier's office, under John Hamm.
But Baillie had a life-long association with Nova Scotia's Tories, was active in the volunteer sector and ran Credit Union Atlantic between his time in Hamm's office and his leadership bid.
Graham's association with the provincial Liberals pretty much began when she went to work for McNeil and, if she runs, she'd be seeking to move directly from the political backrooms to centre stage as premier. Baillie ran to lead the PCS when they were the third place party in the legislature, which is a long way from the premier's office.
There was one other event this week that could have a significant impact on the Liberal leadership contest.
Peter Mackay has moved back home to Pictou County and the federal Central Nova Conservative association has already signalled that the nomination is his should he choose to run. Mackay, who just last month lost the national Conservative leadership to Erin O'toole, held the Central Nova seat from 1997 to 2015 and served in senior cabinet posts in Stephen Harper's governments.
Central Nova is currently held by Liberal Sean Fraser, whom many Liberals see as an up-and-coming political star. But if Mackay runs, Fraser's chances of holding Central Nova for the federal Liberals are significantly diminished.
Facing that prospect, Fraser, whose name is frequently mentioned by Liberals as they mull over who should succeed McNeil, may be more inclined to make the move to provincial politics.
If he gets in the race, Liberals looking for a leader from outside the legislative caucus have a choice with proven electoral success — something Graham, who's never sought elected office, obviously lacks.
Candidates have until Oct. 9 to enter the leadership, and the new leader and premier will be elected and announced in early February.
