# Eastern Shore (electoral district)

Eastern Shore is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.
In 1967, the district was created as Halifax Eastern Shore out of Halifax East and part of Halifax County Dartmouth. Upon the recommendations of the 1992 Electoral Boundaries Commission report, the district name was changed to Eastern Shore and it gained the Upper Lawrencetown area from Cole Harbour. In 2003, it gained an area on its western boundary from Dartmouth-Cole Harbour and lost an area on its eastern boundary to Guysborough-Sheet Harbour. In 2013, the district lost the Ross Road area to Preston-Dartmouth.
It is known as a bellwether district, having elected a government representative in every election since 1970.

## Geography

The land area of Eastern Shore is 2,252 km$^2$ (870 sq mi).

## Members of the Legislative Assembly

This riding has elected the following members of the Legislative Assembly:
| Legislature | Years | Member | Party |
| Halifax Eastern Shore Riding created from Halifax County Dartmouth and Halifax East |||||
| 49th | 1967–1969 | Duncan MacMillan | Liberal |
| 49th | 1969–1970 | Alexander Garnet Brown | Liberal |
| 50th | 1970–1974 | Alexander Garnet Brown | Liberal |
| 51st | 1974–1978 | Alexander Garnet Brown | Liberal |
| 52nd | 1978–1981 | Tom McInnis | Progressive Conservative |
| 53rd | 1981–1984 | Tom McInnis | Progressive Conservative |
| 54th | 1984–1988 | Tom McInnis | Progressive Conservative |
| 55th | 1988–1993 | Tom McInnis | Progressive Conservative |
| Eastern Shore |||||
| 56th | 1993–1998 | Keith Colwell | Liberal |
| 57th | 1998–1999 | Keith Colwell | Liberal |
| 58th | 1999–2003 | Bill Dooks | Progressive Conservative |
| 59th | 2003–2005 | Bill Dooks | Progressive Conservative |
| 60th | 2006–2009 | Bill Dooks | Progressive Conservative |
| 61st | 2009–2013 | Sid Prest | New Democratic |
| 62nd | 2013–2017 | Kevin Murphy | Liberal |
| 63rd | 2017–2021 | Kevin Murphy | Liberal |
| 64th | 2021–present | Kent Smith | Progressive Conservative |

## Election results
### 2024

vte2024 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Kent Smith | 4,600 | 61.6% |
| | Liberal | Doyle Safire | 1,441 | 19.3% |
| | New Democratic | Don Carney | 1,231 | 16.5% |
| | Green | Kevin Conrod | 197 | 2.6% |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,469 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | |
| | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2021

vte2021 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Progressive Conservative | Kent Smith | 4,264 | 45.82 | +14.71 | $38,052.56 |
| | Liberal | Kevin Murphy | 3,169 | 34.06 | -5.69 | $45,473.02 |
| | New Democratic | Deirdre Dwyer | 1,618 | 17.39 | -7.27 | $34,745.13 |
| | Green | Cheryl Atkinson | 254 | 2.73 | -0.04 | $200.00 |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | 9,305 | 99.44 | – | $94,668.78 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 52 | 0.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,357 | 56.92 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 16,438 |
| | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +10.20 |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2017

2017 provincial election redistributed results :
| Party | Vote | % |
| Liberal | 3,345 | 39.75 |
| Progressive Conservative | 2,618 | 31.11 |
| New Democratic | 2,075 | 24.66 |
| Green | 233 | 2.77 |
| Independent | 145 | 1.72 |
vte2017 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Kevin Murphy | 2,527 | 37.71 | -15.28 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Patricia Auchnie | 2,024 | 30.20 | +10.20 |
| | New Democratic | Devin Ashley | 1,780 | 26.56 | -0.45 |
| | Green | Andy Berry | 221 | 3.30 | |
| | Independent | Randy Carter | 149 | 2.22 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 6,701 | 100.00 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 22 | 0.33 | -0.59 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,723 | 54.20 | -5.71 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 12,405 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | Swing | -12.74 |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2013

2013 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Kevin Murphy | 3,770 | 52.99 | -39.53 |
| | New Democratic Party | Sid Prest | 1,922 | 27.01 | -22.21 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Steve Brine | 1,423 | 20.00 | -14.69 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 7,115 | 100.00 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 66 | 0.92 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,181 | 59.60 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 11,988 |

### 2009

2009 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Sid Prest | 3,628 | 49.22% | 8.42% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Bill Dooks | 2,557 | 34.69% | -11.24% |
| | Liberal | Loretta Day Halleran | 992 | 13.46% | 2.86% |
| | Green | Michael Marshall | 194 | 2.63% | -0.04% |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,371 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 2006

2006 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Bill Dooks | 3,232 | 45.93% | 0.91% |
| | New Democratic | Sid Prest | 2,871 | 40.80% | 5.24% |
| | Liberal | Judith Cabrita | 746 | 10.60% | -8.82% |
| | Green | Elizabeth van Dreunen | 188 | 2.67% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,037 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 2003

2003 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Bill Dooks | 3,073 | 45.02% | 3.17% |
| | New Democratic | Sid Prest | 2,427 | 35.56% | 12.89% |
| | Liberal | Rufus Carter | 1,326 | 19.43% | -11.59% |
| Total | Total | Total | 6,826 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1999

1999 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Bill Dooks | 3,637 | 41.85% | 13.01% |
| | Liberal | Keith Colwell | 2,695 | 31.01% | -7.47% |
| | New Democratic | Mary-Alice Tzagarakis | 1,970 | 22.67% | -10.01% |
| | Nova Scotia Party | Jack Friis | 388 | 4.46% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,690 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1998

1998 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Keith Colwell | 3,299 | 38.49% | -4.97% |
| | New Democratic | Darren Richard | 2,801 | 32.68% | 16.85% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Greg Brown | 2,472 | 28.84% | -11.88% |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,572 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1993

1993 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Keith Colwell | 3,760 | 43.46% | 7.75% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Tom McInnis | 3,523 | 40.72% | -13.29% |
| | New Democratic | Gary Moore | 1,369 | 15.82% | 5.54% |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,652 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia. Chief Electoral Officer (1993). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-Third General Election (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1988

1988 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Tom McInnis | 5,762 | 54.01% | -8.73% |
| | Liberal | Eric Hill | 3,810 | 35.71% | 10.70% |
| | New Democratic | David Noseworthy | 1,097 | 10.28% | -1.96% |
| Total | Total | Total | 10,669 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia. Chief Electoral Officer (1988). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-Second General Election (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1984

1984 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Tom McInnis | 5,395 | 62.74% | 3.42% |
| | Liberal | Paul MacKenzie | 2,151 | 25.01% | 0.80% |
| | New Democratic | Kevin Wilson | 1,053 | 12.25% | -4.22% |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,599 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia. Chief Electoral Officer (1984). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-First General Election (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1981

1981 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Tom McInnis | 5,639 | 59.32% | 5.04% |
| | Liberal | Angus MacNeil | 2,302 | 24.22% | -15.85% |
| | New Democratic | Bruce Beasley | 1,565 | 16.46% | 10.81% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,506 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia. Chief Electoral Officer (1981). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirteith General Election (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1978

1978 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Tom McInnis | 5,298 | 54.28% | 19.72% |
| | Liberal | Alexander Garnet Brown | 3,911 | 40.07% | -12.83% |
| | New Democratic | Daniel Matheson | 552 | 5.66% | -6.89% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,761 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia. Chief Electoral Officer (1978). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Twenty-Ninth General Election (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1974

1974 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Alexander Garnet Brown | 6,437 | 52.90% | -5.20% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Hanson D. Josey | 4,205 | 34.56% | -7.35% |
| | New Democratic | John T. Kennedy | 1,527 | 12.55% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 12,169 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia. Chief Electoral Officer (1974). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Twenty-Eighth General Election (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1970

1970 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Alexander Garnet Brown | 5,585 | 58.09% | 8.62% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Murray E. Ritcey | 4,029 | 41.91% | -1.46% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,614 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia Legislature (1970). Legislature of Nova Scotia Election Returns (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||

### 1967

1967 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Eastern Shore :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Duncan MacMillan | 4,201 | 49.48% | – |
| | Progressive Conservative | Nelson Gaetz | 3,682 | 43.36% | – |
| | New Democratic | James Yetman | 608 | 7.16% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,491 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Eastern Shore" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. Nova Scotia Legislature (1967). Legislature of Nova Scotia Election Returns (PDF). Queen's Printer. |||||||