St. John's Liberal hospitalized with blood clot

Newfoundland and Labrador's struggling Liberal party was presented another setback on the weekend, as aSt. John's candidate was hospitalized with a blood clot.

Simon Lono, the party's candidate in St. John's North district, was admitted to the Health Sciences Centre on Saturday night after presenting with chest pains.

Lono's campaign said in a statement that he is now resting comfortably, and will remain in hospital for several days.

Lono is staying in Tuesday's election race, and "looks forward to voting day and the opportunity to represent the people of St. John's North," the statement said.

Lono, who had been an aide to former Liberal premier Clyde Wells, has been active in party politics for decades, but was making his first run as a provincial candidate.

On Friday, another Liberal candidate Clayton Hobbs, who had been running in Bonavista South withdrew from the race with undisclosed health problems.

The Liberal campaign suffered a tragedy last week, with the sudden death of Gerry Tobin, the candidate in Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans.

Newfoundland and Labrador's chief electoral office has cancelled the election in Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans, and is expected to schedule a new vote in the coming days.