# Hants East

Hants East is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.
Its Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2021 has been John A. MacDonald of the Progressive Conservative Party.
The district has existed since 1949. Earlier, it and Hants West were together in Hants.

## Geography

The land area of Hants East is 1,653 km$^2$ (638 sq mi).

## Members of the Legislative Assembly

This riding has elected the following members of the Legislative Assembly:
Hants East :
| Legislature | Years | Member | Party |
| Riding created from Hants |||||
| 44th | 1949–1953 | Ernest Ettinger | Progressive Conservative |
| 45th | 1953–1956 | Alfred E. Reid | Liberal |
| 46th | 1956–1960 | Ernest Ettinger | Progressive Conservative |
| 47th | 1960–1962 | Ernest Ettinger | Progressive Conservative |
| 47th | 1962–1963 | Albert Ettinger | Progressive Conservative |
| 48th | 1963–1967 | Albert Ettinger | Progressive Conservative |
| 49th | 1967–1970 | Albert Ettinger | Progressive Conservative |
| 50th | 1970–1974 | Jack Hawkins | Liberal |
| 51st | 1974–1978 | Jack Hawkins | Liberal |
| 52nd | 1978–1981 | G. Patrick Hunt | Progressive Conservative |
| 53rd | 1981–1984 | Jack Hawkins | Liberal |
| 54th | 1984–1988 | Cora Etter | Progressive Conservative |
| 55th | 1988–1993 | Jack Hawkins | Liberal |
| 56th | 1993–1998 | Bob Carruthers | Liberal |
| 57th | 1998–1999 | John MacDonell | New Democratic |
| 58th | 1999–2003 | John MacDonell | New Democratic |
| 59th | 2003–2006 | John MacDonell | New Democratic |
| 60th | 2006–2009 | John MacDonell | New Democratic |
| 61st | 2009–2013 | John MacDonell | New Democratic |
| 62nd | 2013–2017 | Margaret Miller | Liberal |
| 63rd | 2017–2021 | Margaret Miller | Liberal |
| 64th | 2021–2024 | John A. MacDonald | Progressive Conservative |
| 65th | 2024–present | John A. MacDonald | Progressive Conservative |

## Election results
### 2024

vte2024 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | John A. MacDonald | 4,614 | 62.7% |
| | New Democratic | Abby Cameron | 1,696 | 23.0% |
| | Liberal | Shannon MacWilliam | 1,050 | 14.3% |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,360 |
| 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 | John A. MacDonald | 3,328 | 37.36 | +2.92 | $28,841.01 |
| | Liberal | Michael Blois | 3,239 | 36.36 | -7.52 | $39,363.22 |
| | New Democratic | Abby Cameron | 2,142 | 24.05 | +7.18 | $33,859.54 |
| | Green | Simon Greenough | 199 | 2.23 | -2.58 | $506.76 |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 8,908 | 99.64 | – | $99,761.07 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 32 | 0.36 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,940 | 51.19 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 17,464 |
| | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +5.22 |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2017

2017 provincial election redistributed results :
| Party | Vote | % |
| Liberal | 3,500 | 43.88 |
| Progressive Conservative | 2,747 | 34.44 |
| New Democratic | 1,345 | 16.86 |
| Green | 384 | 4.81 |
vte2017 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Margaret Miller | 3,923 | 43.66 | -3.73 |
| | Progressive Conservative | John A. MacDonald | 3,104 | 34.55 | +17.78 |
| | New Democratic | Liam Crouse | 1,508 | 16.79 | -19.05 |
| | Green | Jenn Kang | 449 | 4.99 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,984 | 100 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 42 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,026 | 48.10 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 18,765 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | Swing | -10.76 |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2013

2013 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Liberal | Margaret Miller | 4,512 | 47.39 |
| New Democratic Party | John MacDonell | 3,412 | 35.84 |
| Progressive Conservative | Kim Allan Williams | 1,597 | 16.77 |

### 2009

2009 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | John MacDonell | 6,052 | 64.96% | 11.82% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Todd Williams | 1,567 | 16.82% | -13.80% |
| | Liberal | Maurice Rees | 1,467 | 15.75% | 1.80% |
| | Green | Emerich Winkler | 231 | 2.48% | 0.18% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,317 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 2006

2006 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | John MacDonell | 4,712 | 53.13% | -3.84% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Wayne Fiander | 2,715 | 30.62% | 11.08% |
| | Liberal | Malcolm A. MacKay | 1,237 | 13.95% | -8.28% |
| | Green | Michael Hartian | 204 | 2.30% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,868 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 2003

2003 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | John MacDonell | 4,783 | 56.97% | 13.72% |
| | Liberal | Larry Matthews | 1,866 | 22.23% | -1.11% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Mary Lou LeRoy | 1,640 | 19.54% | -13.88% |
| | Nova Scotia Party | Kent Smith | 106 | 1.26% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 8,395 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1999

1999 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | John MacDonell | 3,985 | 43.25% | -0.41% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Reese Morash | 3,079 | 33.42% | 12.40% |
| | Liberal | Sara Stewart | 2,150 | 23.33% | -11.98% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,214 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1998

1998 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | John MacDonell | 4,175 | 43.66% | 25.06% |
| | Liberal | Ken Smith | 3,377 | 35.32% | -8.65% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Lawrin Armstrong | 2,010 | 21.02% | -16.41% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,562 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1993

1993 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Bob Carruthers | 4,295 | 43.97% | -3.12% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Stephen MacKeil | 3,657 | 37.43% | -4.16% |
| | New Democratic | Terry MacLean | 1,817 | 18.60% | 7.28% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,769 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1988

1988 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jack Hawkins | 4,502 | 47.09% | 5.52% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Cora Etter | 3,977 | 41.60% | -6.98% |
| | New Democratic | Richard Preeper | 1,082 | 11.32% | 1.46% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,561 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1984

1984 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Cora Etter | 3,730 | 48.57% | 10.19% |
| | Liberal | Jack Hawkins | 3,192 | 41.57% | 2.44% |
| | New Democratic | Herbert H. Radley | 757 | 9.86% | -12.62% |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,679 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1981

1981 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jack Hawkins | 3,041 | 39.13% | -3.02% |
| | Progressive Conservative | G. Patrick Hunt | 2,983 | 38.39% | -13.25% |
| | New Democratic | Harry McNeil | 1,747 | 22.48% | 16.26% |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,771 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1978

1978 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | G. Patrick Hunt | 4,035 | 51.63% | 11.24% |
| | Liberal | Jack Hawkins | 3,294 | 42.15% | -7.73% |
| | New Democratic | Clair White | 486 | 6.22% | -2.02% |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,815 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1974

1974 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jack Hawkins | 3,322 | 49.88% | -2.85% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Albert J. Ettinger | 2,690 | 40.39% | -6.88% |
| | New Democratic | Claire White | 549 | 8.24% | – |
| | Independent | John G. Stanhope Sr. | 99 | 1.49% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 6,660 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1970

1970 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jack Hawkins | 3,115 | 52.73% | 4.80% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Albert J. Ettinger | 2,793 | 47.27% | -4.80% |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,908 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1967

1967 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Albert J. Ettinger | 2,697 | 52.08% | -0.78% |
| | Liberal | Norman E. Casey | 2,482 | 47.92% | 2.46% |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,179 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1963

1963 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Albert J. Ettinger | 2,739 | 52.86% | 3.36% |
| | Liberal | George E. Fraser | 2,356 | 45.47% | 0.43% |
| | New Democratic | Ralph Loomer | 87 | 1.68% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,182 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1960

1960 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ernest M. Ettinger | 2,426 | 49.50% | -0.46% |
| | Liberal | Carl Spencer Grant | 2,207 | 45.03% | -3.88% |
| | Co-operative Commonwealth | Alfred James Scothorn | 268 | 5.47% | 4.34% |
| Total | Total | Total | 4,901 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1956

1956 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ernest M. Ettinger | 2,392 | 49.96% | -0.03% |
| | Liberal | Arthur W. MacKenzie | 2,342 | 48.91% | -1.10% |
| | Co-operative Commonwealth | Malcolm E. Wheadon | 54 | 1.13% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 4,788 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1953

1953 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Alfred E. Reid | 2,251 | 50.01% | 3.39% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ernest M. Ettinger | 2,250 | 49.99% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 4,501 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1949

1949 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal–Conservative | Ernest M. Ettinger | 2,097 | 47.25% | – |
| | Liberal | Robert A. MacLellan | 2,069 | 46.62% | – |
| | Co-operative Commonwealth | Johnston B. Hart | 272 | 6.13% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 4,438 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||