2015 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election

2015 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election
DateMarch 7, 2015[1]
ConventionSheraton Hotel,
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Resigning leaderLorraine Michael
Won byEarle McCurdy
Ballots1
Candidates3
Entrance Fee$1,000[2]
Spending limit$25,000[2]
New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership elections

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

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

References

  1. ^ a b "NDP leadership convention to be held in March". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "NDP Releases Rules for Leadership Race". VOCM. January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Lorraine Michael Quits As N.L. NDP Leader". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c "Earle McCurdy in the running for NDP leadership". CBC News. January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  20. ^ a b "NDP leadership tracker: Who's in, who's out, who's undecided". CBC News. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "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.