2000 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election
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| Date | July 15, 2000 |
|---|---|
| Resigning leader | Robert Chisholm |
| Won by | Helen MacDonald |
| Ballots | 3 |
| Candidates | 5 |
The 2000 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election was held on July 15, 2000, to elect a successor to Robert Chisholm as leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. The election was necessary because Chisholm had announced his intention to resign as party leader on November 6, 1999. Helen MacDonald was elected on the third ballot, defeating Kevin Deveaux.
Background
Chisholm had previously led the Nova Scotia NDP through the 1998 and 1999 provincial elections. He unexpectedly resigned as party leader after the 1999 campaign, at the November 6, 1999 meeting of the party's provincial council.[1]
Candidates
Hinrich Bitter-Suermann
Hinrich Bitter-Suermann was previously the MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's from 1998 to 1999. Before entering politics, he was a pathologist and a physician.[2][3]
Kevin Deveaux
Kevin Deveaux was the MLA for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage. He was first elected in the 1998 provincial election. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer.
Helen MacDonald
Helen MacDonald was previously the MLA for Cape Breton The Lakes from 1997 to 1999. Before entering politics, she was a teacher.[4]
Maureen MacDonald
Maureen MacDonald was the MLA for Halifax Needham. She was first elected in the 1998 provincial election. Before entering politics, she was a social worker.
Dave Peters
Dave Peters was previously the President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) from 1994–1999 and 1975–1976. He was also the Nova Scotia NDP candidate for Pictou East in the 1993 provincial election.[5]
Ballot results
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Helen MacDonald | 193 | 32.33 |
| Kevin Deveaux | 172 | 28.81 |
| Maureen MacDonald | 154 | 25.80 |
| Dave Peters | 47 | 7.87 |
| Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | 31 | 5.19 |
| Total | 597 | 100.00 |
(Bitter-Suermann eliminated; Peters withdrew)
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Deveaux | 211 | 35.46 |
| Helen MacDonald | 207 | 34.79 |
| Maureen MacDonald | 177 | 29.75 |
| Total | 595 | 100.00 |
(Maureen MacDonald eliminated)
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Helen MacDonald | 322 | 55.14 |
| Kevin Deveaux | 262 | 44.86 |
| Total | 584 | 100.00 |
References
- ^ Carmichael, Kevin (1999-11-08). "Hamm's foes run for the exits". The Toronto Star. p. A07.
- ^ "Bitter-Suermann enters NDP race". The Chronicle Herald. April 1, 2000.
- ^ "Fourth NDP leadership candidate wades in". The Daily News. Halifax. April 1, 2000.
- ^ "New NDP boss picked from N.S. party roots". The Globe and Mail. 2008-08-08.
- ^ "David P. Peters". arbormemorial.ca. 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2025-04-01.