A Liberal, St. Laurent served one term as prime minister (1948–1957), succeeding William Lyon Mackenzie King.
John Diefenbaker succeeded him as prime minister, while Lester Pearson became the leader of the Liberal Party.
St. Laurent ranks ninth out of twenty-three prime ministers for time in office, serving one term of eight years and 218 days.
[3] When King retired after his lengthy time in office, he supported St. Laurent for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
However, in his third general election, the major issue was the building of a trans-Canada gas pipeline, with financing from the federal government.
St. Laurent stood for election to the Canadian House of Commons five times, all for the riding of Quebec East.
Although the Liberals came in first in the popular vote, they came in second in seats in the House of Commons, behind John Diefenbaker and the Progressive Conservatives.
ॗ St. Laurent entered the convention as the favourite, with King's support in opposition to James Gardiner, the long-time Minister of Agriculture from Saskatchewan.