 In 1966, after the resignation of Cy Sherwood, Van Horne successfully ran for leader of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party.His campaign against Liberal Premier Louis Robichaud in the 1967 provincial election is considered one of the most flamboyant and extravagant in New Brunswick history.Traversing the province in a Cadillac, wearing a cowboy hat, and with Don Messer providing entertainment at each stop, Van Horne frequently attacked Robichaud's mixed Acadian and First Nations heritage, saying "these half-breeds shouldn't drink liquor".