Elias served as Official Opposition caucus chair, as well as Liberal critic for the Environment, Tourism and Culture, and the Women's Directorate portfolios.
Yukon Liberal leader Arthur Mitchell was defeated in his re-election campaign and resigned on election night.
On August 17, 2012, Elias resigned from the post of interim Liberal leader and from the party caucus to sit as an Independent MLA.
[6] Eleven months later, on July 8, 2013, Elias crossed the floor to join the caucus of the governing Yukon Party.
[11] He announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2016 election, but was defeated by Liberal candidate Pauline Frost by seven votes.