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Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election, 2007
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Name
Kenzie MacKinnon
Role
Lawyer
The Nova Scotia Liberal Party held a leadership election on April 27, 2007 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, following the resignation of Francis MacKenzie, shortly after failing to win a seat in the 2006 election. This was the third leadership convention for the Liberals since 2002. It was won by Annapolis MLA Stephen McNeil.
The Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is, with the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, one of three parties that have formed a government in the province. The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia has controlled the government for much of the province's history, having been in power from Canadian Confederation in 1867 to 1878, 1882 to 1925, 1933 to 1956, 1970 to 1978 and 1993 to 1999. However, from the 1999 election until the 2009 election it was relegated to third party status behind the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party. In 2009, under McNeil's leadership, the party returned to official opposition status as the second largest party in the legislature.
The new leader was chosen by a full delegated convention, the first in the party since 1986, after which time the party had adopted a one member, one vote system used in the 1992 and all subsequent leadership contests.
Michel Samson was the interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, and leader in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for the third place party.
Rules
The party issued a 78 page document, outlining the rules, on January 15, 2007.
Candidates
Kenzie MacKinnon, lawyer and three-time Liberal candidate
Stephen McNeil, MLA for Annapolis
Mike Smith, mayor of Colchester County
Diana Whalen, MLA for Halifax-Clayton Park
Various members of the party announced that they would not seek the leadership. Among them were interim leader Michel Samson, Dartmouth physician John Gillis, and Liberal MPs Geoff Regan, Scott Brison, and Michael Savage.
Endorsements
The following is a list of high-profile endorsers for each of the candidates; the list includes MLAs, MPs, and Senators, as well as former MLAs, Premiers, and Lieutenant-Governors.
MacKinnon (3)
Mary Clancy, former MP for Halifax
Allan J. MacEachen, former MP and Deputy Prime Minister
Russell MacLellan, former Premier of Nova Scotia
McNeil (9)
Jim Cowan, Senator
Kirk Cox, former candidate, Shelburne
Rodger Cuzner, Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso
Don Downe, former MLA, Lunenburg West
Wayne Gaudet, MLA for Clare
Leo Glavine, MLA for Kings West
Jim Smith, former MLA, Dartmouth East
Harold Theriault, MLA for Digby-Annapolis
Robert Thibault, Liberal MP for West Nova
Smith (13)
Aldric d'Entremont, Warden, Municipality of Argyle
Lloyd Hines, Warden, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Glenn Horne, President, St. F.X. Young Liberals
Dennis James, former President NS Young Liberals, Chief of Staff to Premier John Savage, Former Federal Candidate
Ed Kinley, former MLA for Halifax Citadel
Ed Lorraine, former MLA and provincial Minister of Agriculture
Kennie MacAskill, former MLA and provincial Minister of Natural Resources
Richie Mann, President of Dartmouth Cole Harbour, former MLA, former Minister of Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Duart McAuley, Warden, Municipality of the County of Inverness
Traci-Lyn McMenamon, VP Hants East Liberal Association
Eleanor Norrie, former MLA Truro-Bible Hill, former Minister of Natural Resources, Housing and Consumer Affairs, and Status of Women
Lorraine Sheppard, Cape Breton South, past member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party Management Committee
Gordon Thompson, President, Yarmouth Liberal Association
Floyd Tucker, former MLA for Colchester North
Whalen (9)
Alan Abraham, former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Wayne Adams, former Liberal MLA
Carolyn Bennett, Liberal MP for Toronto riding of St. Paul's
Bernie Boudreau, former MLA and Senator
Scott Brison, Liberal MP for Kings—Hants
Garnet Brown, former Liberal MLA
Keith Colwell, MLA for Preston
Jane Cordy, Senator
Geoff Regan, Liberal MP for Halifax West
Dave Wilson, MLA for Glace Bay
Caucus members who did not endorse a candidate
Manning MacDonald, MLA for Cape Breton South
Michel Samson, MLA for Richmond, was the interim leader and remained neutral in the leadership race.
Party general meeting
In addition to the leadership convention, the party will hold its Annual General Meeting including the election of officers, adoption of policies and potential constitutional amendments.
First Ballot
Spoiled Ballots: 0
Movement:
Kenzie MacKinnon is eliminated with the lowest vote total. He gives his support to Diana Whalen.
Mike Smith chooses to withdraw and support Whalen.
Second Ballot
Spoiled Ballots: 0
Movement:
Stephen McNeil wins the 2007 Liberal Leadership race.
Timeline
January 10: Mike Smith, the mayor of Colchester County, becomes the first registered candidate, launching his campaign in Truro.
January 12: Interim leader Michel Samson announces that he will not run for party leadership.
January 18: Halifax-Clayton Park MLA Diana Whalen becomes the second and highest profile candidate in the race, launching her campaign in Halifax.
January 19: Kenzie MacKinnon announces that he will enter the leadership race.
January 30: Annapolis MLA Stephen McNeil becomes the second MLA to enter the race; he is the first to have endorsements from current MLAs.
