2015 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

2015 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

Date	March 7, 2015 [1]
Convention	Sheraton Hotel, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Resigning leader	Lorraine Michael
Won by	Earle McCurdy
Ballots	1
Candidates	3
Entrance fee	$1,000 [2]
Spending limit	$25,000 [2]
New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership elections 1989 2006 2015 2018 2019 2023

The 2015 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election was held March 7, 2015 in St. John's. ^[1] The election was prompted by Lorraine Michael's announcement on January 6, 2015, that she would step down as leader of the party after a successor was chosen. ^[3] All NDP members were able to cast ballots by phone or online between February 25 and March 5, 2015, or in person at the party's convention on March 7, 2015. ^[4] Earle McCurdy was elected with 68% support on the first ballot. ^[5]

Timeline

• October 11, 2011 - In the provincial election NDP wins 5 seats with just under 25% of the popular vote, its best ever result. ^[6]
• October 21, 2013 - Michael announces she had received a letter from her caucus over the previous weekend calling for a leadership election to be held in 2014. The caucus felt that without renewal in the party they would have trouble attracting quality candidates and public support in the 2015 election. ^[7]
• October 29, 2013 - MHAs Dale Kirby (St. John's North) and Christopher Mitchelmore (The Straits – White Bay North) leave the NDP caucus over their dispute with Michael to sit as Independents. ^{[8] [9]} Both subsequently join the Liberals. ^[10]
• May 17, 2014 - Michael passes a leadership review at the NDP convention with 75% support.
• November 5, 2014 - Conception Bay South by-election, NDP candidate receives 3.05% of the vote, down from 24.06% in the general election. ^[11]
• November 25, 2014 - By-elections in Trinity-Bay de Verde and Humber East, NDP receives 5.41% and 7.81% of the vote respectively, down from 14.16% and 13.28% in the general election. ^[12]
• January 6, 2015 - Michael announces that she is stepping down as party leader after the party's poor by-election results. Will remain leader until a leadership election can be held. ^[13]
• February 6, 2015 at 5 pm - Deadline for candidates to be nominated. ^[3]
• February 25, 2015 - Online and telephone voting begins. ^[4]
• March 5, 2015 - Online and telephone voting ends. ^[4]
• March 7, 2015 - In person voting by delegates at the NDP convention in St. John's. Ballots counted and a leader declared. ^{[3] [4]}

Declared candidates

Chris Bruce

Bruce is a former NDP executive member who quit the executive following the 2013 caucus revolt against Lorraine Michael's leadership. He works as a barista. Advocates electoral finance reform which would include banning corporate and union donations to political parties; supports pharmacare, and increasing taxes on incomes above $70,000. ^{[4] [14] [15] [16]}

Mike Goosney

Goosney steelworker, former Labrador City town councillor. Advocates giving people more of a voice in politics and emphasizes health care, particularly improving service in rural areas. ^[4]

Earle McCurdy

McCurdy is former president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (1993-2014). ^{[17] [18]} Endorsed by NDP MP Ryan Cleary and MHA Gerry Rogers. Advocates solutions to the province's fiscal situation and correcting the "democratic deficit" in government. ^{[4] [19]}

Declined

• Bob Buckingham, St. John's lawyer. ^[20]
• Ryan Cleary, NDP federal Member of Parliament for St. John's South—Mount Pearl. ^[19]
• George Murphy, NDP MHA for St. John's East. ^{[14] [21]}
• Sheilagh O'Leary, former St. John's city councillor, NDP by-election candidate in Virginia Waters (2014). ^[21]
• Lana Payne, Atlantic director for Unifor and NDP organizer. ^[20]
• Gerry Rogers, NDP MHA for St. John's Centre. ^[19]

Results

		First Ballot [22]
	Candidate	Votes	Perc.
	Earle McCurdy	889	68.5%
	Mike Goosney	299	23.0%
	Chris Bruce	110	8.5%
	Spoiled Ballots	0	0.00%
	Totals	1298	100%

See also

• New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
• 1989 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election
• 2006 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election
• Next New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

References

1. "NDP leadership convention to be held in March". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
2. "NDP Releases Rules for Leadership Race". VOCM. January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
3. "Lorraine Michael Quits As N.L. NDP Leader". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
4. "NDP leadership race hits home stretch". The Telegram. February 18, 2015. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
5. "Earle McCurdy Named Leader of the NDP". VOCM News. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
6. "NDP celebrates historic gains". CBC News. October 11, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
7. "N.L. NDP Leader Lorraine Michael facing caucus revolt". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
8. "Michael calls for 2014 leadership review". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
9. "Kirby, Mitchelmore quit NDP caucus after leadership row". CBC News, October 29, 2013.
10. "Dale Kirby and Christopher Mitchelmore join Liberals". CBC News . Retrieved February 4, 2014.
11. "Liberal Rex Hillier wins C.B.S. byelection". Cbc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
12. Liberal Stelman Flynn wins Humber East byelection. The Western Star , November 25, 2014.
13. "Lorraine Michael stepping down as NDP leader". CBC News. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
14. "NDP leadership tracker: An early look at some possible contenders". CBC News. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
15. "NDP leadership speculation begins". The Telegram. January 7, 2015. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
16. "Another N.L. NDP executive member resigns". CBC News. December 13, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
17. "Earle McCurdy NDP Biography". Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
18. "Earle McCurdy stepping down from helm of fisheries union". CBC News. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
19. "Earle McCurdy in the running for NDP leadership". CBC News. January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
20. "NDP leadership tracker: Who's in, who's out, who's undecided". CBC News. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
21. "George Murphy to stay on sidelines in NDP leadership race". CBC News. January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
22. "Earle McCurdy Named Leader of the NDP". VOCM News. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.