The 2025 Yukon Liberal Party leadership election was held on June 19 in Whitehorse. The election was called as a result of the party leader and premier Ranj Pillai's decision to announce his pending resignation on May 7. The party elected Mike Pemberton as its new leader, in a narrow margin.
Background The deadline to submit a candidacy was May 29.
Party members could vote in person in Whitehorse or by proxy. The party uses a ranked preferential ballot (instant-runoff voting), but only two candidates entered the race, so there was no need for vote transfers or subsequent rounds of vote counting as happens sometimes under IRV.
To join the party, one must have been a Yukon resident and at least fourteen years of age. There was no minimum period one had to live in the territory to be eligible to vote, and Canadian citizenship was not a requirement. Following the results, runner-up Doris Bill accused winner Mike Pemberton of signing up recent immigrants to the territory as party members.
Mike Pemberton, as the new leader of the governing party of Yukon, became the territory's 11th premier. This was the Liberals' first contested leadership race since 2005, when Arthur Mitchell defeated former premier Pat Duncan. Outgoing leader Ranj Pillai and former leader Sandy Silver had both been acclaimed to the post.
Candidates Doris Bill Background: Former Kwanlin Dün First Nation chief. Date announced: May 12, 2025 Mike Pemberton Background: Businessman. Date announced: May 27, 2025
Results +2025 Yukon Liberal Party leadership electionCandidate1st ballotNameVotes cast%Mike Pemberton44250.75Doris Bill42949.25Valid votes87199.77Invalid votes20.23Total votes873100.00Registered voters/turnout>1000<87.30
See also 2023 Yukon Liberal Party leadership election
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