2001 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election

Chris Axworthy was the MLA for Saskatoon Fairview and Attorney General of Saskatchewan. He was first elected in a June 1999 provincial by-election held months before the 1999 provincial election. Previously, he was the MP for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar (1997–1999) and Saskatoon—Clark's Crossing (1988–1997). Before entering politics, he was a professor of law at the University of Saskatchewan.^[5]

Scott Banda was a lawyer from Saskatoon. He was previously president of the Saskatchewan Young New Democrats.^[6]

Buckley Belanger was the MLA for Athabasca. He was first elected in the 1995 provincial election. Belanger was originally elected as a member of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, but left to join the Saskatchewan NDP in 1998. Previously, he was mayor of Île-à-la-Crosse from 1988 to 1994. Before entering politics, he was a journalist for the Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation.^[7][8]

Lorne Calvert was previously the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow (1991–1999) and Moose Jaw South (1986–1991). He had also been the Minister of Social Services from 1995 to 1998. Before entering politics, he was a United Church minister.^[9]

Joanne Crofford was the MLA for Regina Centre. She was first elected in the 1991 provincial election. Before entering politics, she was a civil servant.^[10]

Maynard Sonntag was the MLA for Meadow Lake. He was first elected in the 1991 provincial election. Before entering politics, he was the manager of a credit union.^[11][12]

Nettie Wiebe was previously the president of the National Farmers Union from 1995 to 1998. Immediately prior to the leadership election, she was a professor at the University of Saskatchewan.^[13][14]

First Ballot

Candidate	Votes	Percentage
Lorne Calvert	6,542	33.66
Chris Axworthy	5,344	27.50
Nettie Wiebe	3,487	17.94
Maynard Sonntag	1,459	7.51
Scott Banda	1,269	6.53
Joanne Crofford	669	3.44
Buckley Belanger	665	3.42
Total	19,435	100.00

(Crofford and Belanger eliminated at under 5%)

Second Ballot

Candidate	Weighted Votes	Percentage	+/-
Lorne Calvert	6,877	35.65	+1.99
Chris Axworthy	5,646	29.26	+1.76
Nettie Wiebe	3,749	19.43	+1.49
Maynard Sonntag	1,712	8.87	+1.36
Scott Banda	1,309	6.78	+0.25
Total	19,293	100.00

(Banda eliminated, Sonntag withdraws)

Third Ballot

Candidate	Weighted Votes	Percentage	+/-
Lorne Calvert	7,831	41.80	+6.15
Chris Axworthy	6,686	35.69	+6.43
Nettie Wiebe	4,216	22.51	+3.08
Total	18,733	100.00

(Wiebe eliminated)

Fourth Ballot

Candidate	Weighted Votes	Percentage	+/-
Lorne Calvert	10,289	57.60	+15.80
Chris Axworthy	7,575	42.40	+6.71
Total	17,864	100.00