2002 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election

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2002 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election
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  Darrel-Dexter-March-24-2012.jpg
Candidate Darrell Dexter John MacDonell
Riding Dartmouth-Cole Harbour Hants East
Final ballot2,006
(62.94%)		1,181
(37.06%)
Leader before election

Helen MacDonald

Elected Leader

Darrell Dexter

2002 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election
DateJune 2, 2002
Resigning leader Helen MacDonald
Won by Darrell Dexter
Ballots1
Candidates2

The 2002 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election was held on June 2, 2002, to elect a successor to Helen MacDonald as leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. The election was necessary because MacDonald had resigned on April 24, 2001. Darrell Dexter was elected, defeating John MacDonell.

Contents

Background

Helen MacDonald had served as leader of the Nova Scotia NDP since July 2000. She was elected as party leader, despite having lost her seat of Cape Breton-The Lakes in the 1999 Nova Scotia provincial election. As a result, one of her first priorities was to obtain a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. MacDonald decided to contest the March 6, 2001 by-election in Cape Breton North, which was caused by the resignation of Liberal MLA and former Premier Russell MacLellan. [1] [2] Ultimately, MacDonald placed third in the by-election. [3] She initially continued as leader following the defeat; but after facing a caucus revolt that included at least six of the party's eleven MLAs, she opted to resign on April 24, 2001. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Candidates

Darrell Dexter

Darrell Dexter was the MLA for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour. He was first elected in the 1998 Nova Scotia provincial election. He was previously a member of Dartmouth City Council from 1994 to 1996. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, and a sub-lieutenant in the Canadian Navy. [8]

John MacDonell

John MacDonell was the MLA for Hants East. He was first elected in the 1998 Nova Scotia provincial election. Before entering politics, he was a teacher. [9]

Ballot results

First Ballot
CandidateVotesPercentage
Darrell Dexter2,00662.94
John MacDonell1,18137.06
Total3,187100.00

References

  1. ↑ "Former N.S. premier MacLellan leaves politics". CBC News. 2000-10-04. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  2. ↑ "NDP boss unopposed as party's candidate for vacant C.B. seat". The Chronicle Herald. 2001-01-15. Archived from the original on 2001-02-23. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  3. ↑ "Tories win Cape Breton North". CBC News. 2001-03-07. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  4. ↑ "NDP boss forced to resign". The Chronicle Herald. 2001-04-25.
  5. ↑ "Leader of Nova Scotia NDP resigns post". The Globe and Mail . 2001-04-25.
  6. ↑ "Ousting was 'scapegoating': 'They literally trampled over the decision-making body of this party' -- MacDonald". The Daily News. Halifax. 2001-04-29.
  7. ↑ "MacDonell to take run at NDP leadership". The Chronicle Herald. 2002-03-05. Archived from the original on 2005-04-26. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  8. ↑ Kimber, Stephen (2009-06-04). "Who is premier Darrell Dexter?". The Coast. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  9. ↑ Mars-Proietti, Laura (2008). Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 2008 . ISBN   978-1-59237-310-9.
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