In
2020, Abbott ran for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party following the pending resignation of
Dwight Ball. He lost the two-way race to frontrunner
Andrew Furey. Abbott subsequently ran in the 2021 provincial election as the Liberal candidate in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi and narrowly defeated incumbent MHA and provincial NDP leader Alison Coffin. Coffin filed for a recount, but it was rejected by Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage, who argued that the evidence was not sufficient to justify the process. Abbott was subsequently sworn in as MHA on May 18, 2021. Prior to his swearing-in, Abbott was appointed Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development on April 8, 2021. He later became the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on June 14, 2023. On July 19, 2024, he was appointed as Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. When Premier Furey announced his pending resignation in 2025, Abbott resigned his cabinet positions and ran for the Liberal leadership in the
ensuing election. On June 11, 2025, Abbott announced that he would resign his seat of
St. John's East-Quidi Vidi at the end of the summer to avoid a legal battle stemming from the troubled results of the
2021 election. On August 15, 2025, Abbott resigned as MHA and Cabinet Minister. ==Election results==