Two potential candidates seeking the Yukon New Democratic Party's nomination for the May 2 federal election could give Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell a run for his money.

Early this morning, via Facebook's social media site, popular musician and longtime social worker Kevin Barr announced his intention to seek the NDP nomination.

And early this afternoon, in front of the Elijah Smith Building, Alex Furlong, president of the Yukon Federation of Labour, declared his desire to represent the New Democrats.

Both men are well-known in the territory and either could make what most predict will be a fifth consecutive victory for Bagnell more difficult than previous contests.

For the 54-year-old Barr – the father of four children and the grandfather of three – a moment of solitude and contemplation over the weekend after riding his snowmobile to a mountain top sealed the deal.

"I've been approached by many people asking me to run and from people inside the federal NDP to put my name forward,” Barr told the Star.

"So for me, it's taking forward what I do already working for the Yukon to a different place.”

After coming to the Yukon in 1983, Barr, in his career as a social worker, has made a huge impact here.

Not only was he instrumental in establishing the Committee on Abuse in Residential Schools, Barr currently runs the White Bison alcohol and drug addiction program at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre.

In the 2006 territorial election, Barr ran for the NDP in the Southern Lakes riding and lost by just 37 votes to the Yukon Party's Patrick Rouble, now minister of Education and Energy, Mines and Resources.

"Like then, I want to be a voice for the people who don't feel heard,” said Barr. "And for me, the NDP seems to be the right fit. It looks at long-term visions for any issues that come up ... they're not about fast-food decision-making.”

For Furlong, a 46-year-old organized labour advocate and father of three, the decision to enter the federal political fray came after extensive family consultations.

"It's something I've really thought about doing for a couple of years but the turning point came after conversations with my family,” said Furlong.

"Being a member of Parliament can have a tremendous impact on your family but we all decided that this was something to proceed with.”

Furlong moved to the Yukon in 1994. He worked for the Yukon Employees' Union as a labour relations advisor before being elected to head the labour federation in 2003.

In December 2010, Furlong was acclaimed federation president and is currently at the beginning of another three-year mandate.

If given the nod to represent the Yukon New Democrats, Furlong would divide his time campaigning and continuing his work with the federation, he said.

"But I've asked the vice-president to speak publicly on behalf of the labour federation on any issues during the election,” Furlong said.

Asked about his chances against Barr, Furlong said he would present his vision to the New Democrats' membership and let the chips fall where they may.

"If I'm successful, I'll have lots more to say,” he added.

The NDP's nomination meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Association franco-yukonnaise building on Strickland Street. Those interested in voting must purchase party memberships no later than 5 p.m. today.

On Saturday, in what was supposed to be a contested nomination, the Yukon Conservative Association acclaimed Ryan Leef, a 37-year-old Whitehorse Correctional Centre superintendent.

Northwestel Inc. executive Gerrard Fleming bowed out at the last minute.

"He made a decision to withdraw on Saturday morning and I don't have any of the details,” Michael Lauer, the association's financial agent, said today.

Attempts this morning to contact Fleming and Leef were unsuccessful.

"Ryan's pumped either way and he's fired up and ready to go. We're going to work hard to win this one vote at a time and try to put the Yukon back on the government side of the house,” added Lauer.

Yukon Conservatives had similar hopes in the 2008 election but local pharmacist and business owner Darryl Pasloski – touted as a strong candidate to topple Bagnell – finished runner-up by more than 1,900 votes.

In that same election, John Streicker nudged the New Democrats out of third spot and will again carry the Yukon Green Party banner into the 41st general election.

"We don't think of it as running against the other candidates. We are running for the Yukon,” Streicker said in a press release this morning.

"We know we know what needs to be done, and the work is well underway.”

Today, Bagnell is campaigning in Beaver Creek, and intends to visit several communities in the territory's southwest.