ADQ fast-tracks race to replace ex-leader Mario Dumont

The Action Démocratique du Québec will expedite the race to find a successor to former leader Mario Dumont.

Delegates attending the provincial party's general council this weekend approved a motion to advance the date on which the party will choose its new leader.

The voting will now take place on Oct. 18 instead of in February 2010, which was previously scheduled.

Dumont quit politics in March after the ADQ slipped from official Opposition status back to third place in the legislature.

There are now three candidates in the running for Dumont's former job, including Gilles Taillon, Dumont's one-time second-in-command and the presumed front-runner.

The two other contenders are Éric Caire, a member of the national assembly, and former member Christian Lévesque.

Other leadership hopefuls have until the Aug. 18 to enter the race.

One possible fourth candidate is MNA Gérald Deltell.

The former journalist is under pressure to run but says he hasn't yet decided to throw his hat into the ring.

A byelection in Dumont's riding of Rivière-du-Loup is scheduled for June 22.