Twelve Government MPs have publicly declared their support for Finance Minister Paula Cox's leadership challenge — against three for rival Terry Lister and none for Dale Butler.

But one who's keeping his cards close to his chest — backbencher Ashfield DeVent — yesterday warned the unusually public nature of the battle could harm the Progressive Labour Party if it turns to backbiting over the next two months.

Mr. DeVent said debate over the right person to lead the PLP has typically been reserved for the annual delegates conference in October when the new Premier is elected.

Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva and backbencher Michael Weeks yesterday added their names to the ten who backed Ms Cox as she launched her campaign at the Arboretum on Thursday morning.

They were Ministers Walter Roban, Elvin James, Neletha Butterfield, Michael Scott, Derrick Burgess and Glenn Blakeney, along with backbenchers Dame Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott, Wayne Furbert and Patrice Minors.

Mr. Lister is supported by backbenchers Wayne Perinchief and Randy Horton — two of the MPs who joined him in calling for Premier Ewart Brown to resign last summer — as well as his brother Dennis Lister.

Whip Lovitta Foggo, Speaker Stanley Lowe and Dr. Brown have avoided backing anyone publicly.

Backbencher Walter Lister could not be reached yesterday; PLP insiders say the Listers are often known for sticking together, but didn't rule out the possibility of Walter overlooking his nephew in favour of Ms Cox.

Mr. DeVent described the Americanised feel to this year's contest as a new phenomenon.

"I will talk to all three of the candidates, but this is business that takes place within the conference. It seems that we are taking a large shift," Mr. DeVent told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

The Pembroke MP said people had already begun arguing about the credentials of Ms Cox and Mr. Lister on talk shows and Facebook.

"I don't think any of the candidates will turn it into anything nasty and I have nothing against those who have chosen to say who they will support, but I'm just concerned this has the potential for a fight," he said.

"If the public get into it, it has the potential to do more harm for the party. It can become this big, dragged out war.

"At the end of the day, the choice is party business and I will exercise my vote, but it's a vote and a choice that should be made behind closed doors."

MPs each get a vote at the conference, along with an expected 150 or so party delegates, who will be nominated by their branches.

More than 100 supporters attended Ms Cox's press conference on Thursday, including a host of MPs and Senators and highly-placed party members.

Mr. DeSilva, who missed the announcement, e-mailed this newspaper yesterday from Europe yesterday: "Paula Cox has my full support. And she will be our next leader and Premier."

And Mr. Weeks said over the telephone from overseas: "I'm supporting Paula. She has a lot of integrity and over the years she has demonstrated the skills to be a good leader. She's well positioned to continue to move our country forward."

PLP senators Kim Wilson, Walton Brown and Marc Bean were all at Ms Cox's side as she made her announcement.

A fourth, Thaao Dill, said yesterday: "I'm happy to completely support Deputy Premier Cox in her leadership campaign.

"Her skill set, expertise and perspective are best suited to handle the responsibilities needed to ensure Bermuda's ongoing success. To make it plain, she's the right person for the job."

The fifth, Government Senate Leader David Burch, is said to have been supportive of Ms Cox in the past, but he could not be reached yesterday.

Mr. Butler announced his leadership ambitions in January by predicting hard-core PLP members would reject him because of his liberal views.

The former Culture Minister — who will make his official announcement later this month — was not perturbed by his lack of support among colleagues in the House of Assembly yesterday.

"I will release my theme that appeals to everyone and not just MPs," he said.

Mr. Butler will stage two press conferences on August 23 and 24: one on his social agenda, and one on his regeneration agenda.

"I am not planning a campaign like my colleagues. I will address the real issues," he said.