Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leadership election, 2006

The Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leadership election of 2006 was held on February 11, 2006 to select a replacement for John Hamm, as Premier of Nova Scotia and leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia.

Timeline

*September 29, 2005 - Hamm announces his retirement, effective upon the election of a new leader.
*October 15, 2005 - The PC Party announces that the leadership vote will be held on February 11, 2006 with a delegated convention as opposed to the one member one vote system used in the previous race.
*October 26, 2005 - Bill Black becomes the first candidate to officially enter the race.
*October 28, 2005 - Neil LeBlanc becomes the second candidate to officially enter the race.
*November 4, 2005 - Rodney MacDonald becomes the third candidate to officially enter the race.
*December 27, 2005 - Membership cutoff date.
*January 7, 2006 - Delegate selection period begins.
*February 11, 2006 - Leadership convention held in Halifax. Rodney MacDonald wins on 2nd ballot with support from Neil LeBlanc.
*February 24, 2006 - MacDonald sworn in as 32nd Premier of Nova Scotia.

Candidates

*Bill Black, former CEO of Maritime Life and candidate for the Halifax Citadel by-election
*Neil LeBlanc, former minister of Finance
*Rodney MacDonald, minister of Tourism, Culture & Heritage and MLA for Inverness

Non-candidates

The following individuals were the subject of media speculation about running or themselves indicated they were considering a run but eventually opted against.

*Michael Baker, minister of Justice and MLA for Lunenburg
*Jamie Baillie, former Chief of Staff to Premier Hamm.
*Cecil Clarke, minister of Energy and MLA for Cape Breton North
*Ernie Fage, minister of Economic Development and MLA for Cumberland North
*Richard Hurlburt, minister of Natural Resources and MLA for Yarmouth
*Peter Kelly, mayor of Halifax
*Peter MacKay, deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and MP for Central Nova
*Kerry Morash, minister of Environment and Labour and MLA for Queens
*Jane Purves, former minister of Education, Chief of Staff to Premier Hamm
*Judy Streatch, MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's

Results

First Ballot

The first ballot was close, with just 59 votes separating the first and last place candidates.

LeBlanc eliminated, supports MacDonald.

econd Ballot

External links

* [http://gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20050929007 Hamm's resignation announcement]
* [http://www.pcparty.ns.ca/ Party website]
* [http://leadership.pcparty.ns.ca/ Official Leadership website]
* [http://www.billblack.ca/ Bill Black campaign website]
* [http://www.neilfornovascotia.ca/ Neil LeBlanc campaign website]
* [http://www.rodneymacdonald.com/ Rodney MacDonald campaign website]