Federal Minister Pablo Rodriguez receives “numerous requests” to lead Quebec Liberals

A spokesperson for the Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez said he is receiving “a lot of requests” to join the race for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party.

But Rodriguez, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Quebec lieutenant, has not confirmed whether he will seek the leadership of the provincial party.

Jacques Martineau, Rodriguez’s communications director, says the minister is “sincerely touched by the many requests he has received” to make the jump to provincial politics.

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A source familiar with the Quebec Liberal leadership race said the minister is seriously considering a run for the party leadership. The source requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

However, the source expressed some doubts about whether Rodriguez is the right person for the job, in part because he carries the baggage of nine years in the federal Liberal government.

The Quebec Liberal Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The party will choose its new leader next June. Former Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is the only official candidate in the running so far.

Rodriguez began his political career in Quebec, where he was a member of the youth wing of the provincial Liberals in the 1990s. He served as a Liberal MNA from 2004 to 2011, and again since 2015.

He has been a minister since 2018 and also acts as a key advisor and spokesperson on issues related to Quebec.