2015 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election
Election in Canada
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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]
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March 7, 2015
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DateMarch 7, 2015[1]
ConventionSheraton Hotel,
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Resigning leaderLorraine Michael
WonbyEarle McCurdy
| 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] |
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]
- 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]
- 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 | 68.49% | |
| Mike Goosney | 299 | 23.04% | |
| Chris Bruce | 110 | 8.47% | |
| Spoiled Ballots | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Totals | 1,298 | 100% | |