Canada election 2015: Dartmouth-Cole Harbour and what's at stake
Political scientist says riding is 'too close to call'
Voters in Dartmouth-Cole Harbour could be in for another squeaker of a race.
Last time they went to the polls in 2011, New Democratic Party candidate Robert Chisholm narrowly edged out incumbent Liberal Mike Savage — who went on to become mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality — by less than 500 votes.
Jeff MacLeod, a political science professor with Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, said he expects another tough fight in the riding.
"Too close to call," he said in an interview. "I'd flip a coin. I really would."
Chisholm, the former leader of the Nova Scotia NDP who came within one seat of being premier in 1998, is hoping to hang on to his seat. He is being challenged by Darren Fisher, the Liberal candidate and former deputy mayor of Halifax.
Pastor, urban planner among candidates
Fisher remains a councillor in the Halifax Regional Municipality, but is on a leave of absence during the campaign.
The Conservative candidate is Jason Cole, the pastor at City Heights Church in Dartmouth. Brynn Nheiley, an urban planning and interim leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia, is running under the Green banner.
The former city of Dartmouth makes up a large chunk of the riding, which also includes the Cole Harbour reserve. In recent years, the riding has swung between the Liberal and NDP camps.
New Democrat and playwright Wendy Lill won the seat in 1997, until 2004. She did not reoffer because of illness.
Mike Savage, the son of former Nova Scotia Liberal premier John Savage, captured the seat in 2004 and won two more terms until his defeat in 2011.
'Tough row to hoe'
For voters in part of the riding, this will be their second chance to cast a ballot this year.
In July, residents of the provincial electoral district of Dartmouth South voted in a byelection made necessary by the death of Liberal MLA Allan Rowe. Voters elected New Democrat Marian Mancini to the Nova Scotia Legislature.
Some have attributed the Liberal loss to anger in the arts community over Premier Stephen McNeil government's cuts to the film tax credit.
That could be a factor in this race, said MacLeod.
"Some of the provincial baggage will translate to the Liberals," he said, adding it could be offset by Trudeau's "name and popularity."
MacLeod said both the Liberals and NDP have name recognition on their sides.
"I think Chisholm is very capable, but I don't think he is insurmountable as Megan Leslie is in Halifax," he said. "The Liberal candidate is fairly decent. That will be a tough row to hoe."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
