# Brandon West

Brandon West (French: Brandon-Ouest) is a provincial electoral division in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It encompasses the southwestern part of the City of Brandon.

## History of the riding

The original riding of Brandon West existed from 1886 to 1888, after the city and riding of Brandon was divided into two electoral divisions. It was eliminated in 1888, when the city became a single division again.
The modern riding of Brandon West was created in 1968, when the City of Brandon was again divided into two electoral districts. It was formally brought into being in the provincial election of 1969.
The riding is surrounded by Brandon East to the east and by Spruce Woods in all other directions. The City of Brandon itself is located in the southwestern region of the province.
The riding's population in 1996 was 19,808. In 1999, the average family income was $56,860, and the unemployment rate was 6.30%. The service sector accounts for 16% of industry in the riding, followed by health and social services at 15%.
Brandon West includes the more affluent section of Brandon, and has usually elected Progressive Conservative members. It was sometimes said that Brandon West voters elected Tories and Brandon East voters elected New Democrats to ensure that the city would have a member on the government side regardless of the provincial outcome.
Scott Smith of the New Democratic Party won the seat in 1999, and retained it with over 60% of the vote in 2003. He lost the seat in 2007 to Progressive Conservative candidate Rick Borotsik by just 56 votes.
In the 2018 redistribution, the part of the riding north of the Assiniboine River was moved to Spruce Woods.

## List of provincial representatives

| Assembly | Years | Member | Party |
| Riding created from Brandon City |||||
| 6th | 1886-1888 | John Kirchhoffer | Conservative |
| Riding dissolved into Brandon City |||||
| Riding recreated from Brandon |||||
| 28th | 1966-1969 | Edward McGill | Progressive Conservative |
| 29th | 1969-1972 | Edward McGill | Progressive Conservative |
| 30th | 1973-1977 | Edward McGill | Progressive Conservative |
| 31st | 1977-1981 | Edward McGill | Progressive Conservative |
| 32nd | 1981-1982 | Henry Carroll | New Democratic |
| 32nd | 1982-1985 | Henry Carroll | Independent |
| 33rd | 1985-1988 | James McCrae | Progressive Conservative |
| 34th | 1988-1990 | James McCrae | Progressive Conservative |
| 35th | 1990-1992 | James McCrae | Progressive Conservative |
| 36th | 1995-1999 | James McCrae | Progressive Conservative |
| 37th | 1999-2003 | Scott Smith | New Democratic |
| 38th | 2003-2007 | Scott Smith | New Democratic |
| 39th | 2007-2011 | Rick Borotsik | Progressive Conservative |
| 40th | 2011-2016 | Reg Helwer | Progressive Conservative |
| 41st | 2016–2019 | Reg Helwer | Progressive Conservative |
| 42nd | 2019–2023 | Reg Helwer | Progressive Conservative |
| 43rd | 2023–Present | Wayne Balcaen | Progressive Conservative |

## Election results
### 2023

vte2023 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Progressive Conservative | Wayne Balcaen | 3,814 | 48.75 | -9.64 | $34,464.23 |
| | New Democratic | Quentin Robinson | 3,725 | 47.62 | +23.82 | $6,200.25 |
| | Green | Bill Marsh | 284 | 3.63 | -6.50 | $0.00 |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | 7,823 | 99.38 | – | $60,088.00 |
| Total rejected and declined ballots | Total rejected and declined ballots | Total rejected and declined ballots | 49 | 0.62 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,872 | 51.68 | +0.41 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 15,232 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | -16.73 |
| Source(s) Source: Elections Manitoba |||||||

### 2019

vte2019 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Progressive Conservative | Reg Helwer | 4,311 | 58.39 | -9.8 | $20,202.15 |
| | New Democratic | Nick Brown | 1,757 | 23.80 | -0.4 | $1,132.68 |
| | Green | Robert Brown | 748 | 10.13 | – | $33.24 |
| | Liberal | Sunday Frangi | 567 | 7.68 | -0.0 | $541.53 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 7,383 | 99.15 | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 63 | 0.65 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,446 | 51.27 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 14,522 |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | -4.7 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2019). Statement of Votes for the 42nd Provincial General Election, September 10, 2019 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. "Candidate Election Returns". Elections Manitoba. Elections Manitoba. Retrieved March 2, 2020. |||||||

### 2016

2016 provincial election redistributed results :
| Party | % |
| Progressive Conservative | 68.2 |
| New Democratic | 24.2 |
| Liberal | 7.7 |
vte2016 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Progressive Conservative | Reg Helwer | 5,624 | 69.10 | 20.42 | $33,113.21 |
| | New Democratic | Linda Ross | 1,884 | 23.15 | -23.79 | $13,539.46 |
| | Liberal | Billy Moore | 631 | 7.75 | 3.37 | $1,314.33 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,139 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 202 | – |
| Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | 14,914 | 55.93 | -3.86 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2016). Statement of Votes for the 41st Provincial General Election, April 19, 2016 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. "Election Returns: 41st General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018. |||||||

### 2011

vte2011 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Progressive Conservative | Reg Helwer | 4,231 | 48.68 | 0.63 | $29,570.60 |
| | New Democratic | Jim Murray | 4,080 | 46.94 | -0.54 | $24,888.84 |
| | Liberal | George Buri | 381 | 4.38 | 0.34 | $7,641.08 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,692 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 41 | – |
| Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | 14,607 | 59.79 | -7.02 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2011). Statement of Votes for the 40th Provincial General Election, October 4, 2011 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. "Election Returns: 40th General Election". Elections Manitoba. 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2018. |||||||

### 2007

vte2007 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Progressive Conservative | Rick Borotsik | 4,730 | 48.04 | 13.12 | $29,059.52 |
| | New Democratic | Scott Smith | 4,674 | 47.48 | -13.55 | $27,506.06 |
| | Liberal | M. J. Willard | 398 | 4.04 | -0.01 | $6,098.53 |
| | Communist | Lisa Gallagher | 43 | 0.44 | – | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 9,845 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 39 | – |
| Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | 14,796 | 66.80 | 6.37 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2007). Statement of Votes for the 39th Provincial General Election, May 22, 2007 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 2003

vte2003 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | New Democratic | Scott Smith | 5,210 | 61.02 | 11.76 | $20,721.62 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Reg Atkinson | 2,982 | 34.93 | -10.79 | $15,828.88 |
| | Liberal | Candace Sigurdson | 346 | 4.05 | -0.04 | $2,086.52 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,538 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 28 | – |
| Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | 14,174 | 60.43 | -12.70 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (2003). Statement of Votes for the 38th Provincial General Election, June 3, 2003 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1999

vte1999 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | New Democratic | Scott Smith | 4,898 | 49.26 | 18.43 | $17,671.00 |
| | Progressive Conservative | James McCrae | 4,546 | 45.72 | -3.68 | $29,994.07 |
| | Liberal | Lisa Roy | 407 | 4.09 | -15.67 | $600.00 |
| | Communist | Lisa Gallagher | 92 | 0.93 | – | $0.00 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 9,943 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 75 | – |
| Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | 13,698 | 73.13 | 5.39 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1995

vte1995 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | James McCrae | 4,471 | 49.40 | -6.07 |
| | New Democratic | Derry Decter | 2,790 | 30.83 | 3.02 |
| | Liberal | Mark Barber | 1,789 | 19.77 | 3.04 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 9,050 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 33 | – |
| Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | Eligible voters / turnout | 13,407 | 67.75 | -1.94 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1990

1990 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | James McCrae | 4,736 | 55.47 | 9.54 |
| | New Democratic | Shari Decter-Hirst | 2,374 | 27.81 | 6.72 |
| | Liberal | Abby Hampton | 1,428 | 16.73 | -16.26 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,538 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 27 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 12,290 | 69.69 | -2.85 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1988

1988 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | James McCrae | 5,039 | 45.93 | -7.18 |
| | Liberal | John Worley | 3,618 | 32.98 | 25.69 |
| | New Democratic | Ishbel Solvason | 2,313 | 21.08 | -18.51 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 10,970 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 20 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 15,151 | 72.54 | 1.61 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1986

1986 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | James McCrae | 5,537 | 53.11 | 7.90 |
| | New Democratic | Arnold G. Grambo | 4,128 | 39.60 | -9.86 |
| | Liberal | Kerry Auriat | 760 | 7.29 | 1.95 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 10,425 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 24 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 14,733 | 70.92 | -7.84 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1981

1981 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Henry Nelson Carroll | 5,069 | 49.45 | 8.35 |
| | Progressive Conservative | John Allen | 4,634 | 45.21 | -5.53 |
| | Liberal | David Campbell | 547 | 5.34 | -1.87 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 10,250 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 17 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 13,035 | 78.76 | 5.01 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1977

1977 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Edward McGill | 5,680 | 50.74 | -0.45 |
| | New Democratic | Henry Nelson Carroll | 4,601 | 41.10 | 0.43 |
| | Liberal | Phil Cels | 807 | 7.21 | -0.93 |
| | Social Credit | John William Gross | 107 | 0.96 | – |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 11,195 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 15 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 15,200 | 73.75 | -3.99 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1973

1973 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Edward McGill | 5,070 | 51.19 | 10.53 |
| | New Democratic | Henry Nelson Carroll | 4,028 | 40.67 | 7.29 |
| | Liberal | Guy Savoie | 806 | 8.14 | -17.82 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 9,904 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 38 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 12,789 | 77.74 | 11.56 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1969

1969 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Edward McGill | 2,814 | 40.66 | – |
| | New Democratic | James M. Skinner | 2,310 | 33.38 | – |
| | Liberal | Terence "Terry" Penton | 1,796 | 25.95 | -23.24 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 6,920 | – | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | 14 | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 10,477 | 66.18 | 6.53 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||

### 1886

1886 Manitoba general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | John Nesbitt Kirchhoffer | 441 | 50.81 |
| | Liberal | John Wright Sifton | 427 | 49.19 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 868 | – |
| Rejected | Rejected | Rejected | N/A | – |
| Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | Eligible voters / Turnout | 1,455 | 59.66 |
| Source(s) Source: Manitoba. Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Statement of Votes for the 37th Provincial General Election, September 21, 1999 (PDF) (Report). Winnipeg: Elections Manitoba. |||||||