# Chester-St. Margaret's

Chester—St. Margaret's is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It is located on the South Shore.
The constituency was created in 1956 as a division of Lunenburg County. It was called Lunenburg East from 1956 to 1993. In 1993, the district was renamed Chester—St. Margaret's and gained Tancook Islands from Lunenburg Centre and St. Margaret's Bay from Halifax St. Margarets. In 2003, it gained the communities of West Dover and Bayside. In 2012, the district lost the Upper Tantallon area north of Highway 103 to Hammonds Plains-Lucasville.
The district includes the Municipality of Chester and the communities in the Halifax Regional Municipality along the coast of St. Margarets Bay including Peggys Cove. Major towns in the riding include Hubbards, Chester, Western Shore, Boutiliers Point and Head of St. Margarets Bay.

## Geography

The land area of Chester-St. Margaret's is 1,661 km$^2$ (641 sq mi).

## Statistics

Avg. Income: $27,440 (2003)
Population: 19,720 (2003)
Post-secondary education: 36% (2003)

## Members of the Legislative Assembly

This riding has elected the following members of the Legislative Assembly:
| Legislature | Years | Member | Party |
| Lunenburg East Riding created from Lunenburg |||||
| 46th | 1956–1959 | R. Clifford Levy | Progressive Conservative |
| 46th | 1959–1960 | Maurice L. Zinck | Progressive Conservative |
| 47th | 1960–1963 | Maurice L. Zinck | Progressive Conservative |
| 48th | 1963–1967 | Maurice L. Zinck | Progressive Conservative |
| 49th | 1967–1970 | Maurice L. Zinck | Progressive Conservative |
| 50th | 1970–1974 | Maurice L. Zinck | Progressive Conservative |
| 51st | 1974–1978 | Ron Barkhouse | Progressive Conservative |
| 52nd | 1978–1981 | Ron Barkhouse | Progressive Conservative |
| 53rd | 1981–1984 | Ron Barkhouse | Progressive Conservative |
| 54th | 1984–1988 | Jim Barkhouse | Liberal |
| 55th | 1988–1993 | Jim Barkhouse | Liberal |
| Chester-St. Margaret's |||||
| 56th | 1993–1998 | Jim Barkhouse | Liberal |
| 57th | 1998–1998 | Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | Progressive Conservative |
| 57th | 1998–1999 | Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | New Democratic |
| 58th | 1999–2003 | John Chataway | Progressive Conservative |
| 59th | 2003–2005 | John Chataway | Progressive Conservative |
| 59th | 2005–2006 | Judy Streatch | Progressive Conservative |
| 60th | 2006–2009 | Judy Streatch | Progressive Conservative |
| 61st | 2009–2013 | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | New Democratic |
| 62nd | 2013–2017 | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | New Democratic |
| 63rd | 2017–2020 | Hugh MacKay | Liberal |
| 63rd | 2020–2021 | Hugh MacKay | Independent |
| 64th | 2021–2024 | Danielle Barkhouse | Progressive Conservative |
| 65th | 2024–present | Danielle Barkhouse | Progressive Conservative |

## Election results
### 2024

2024 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Danielle Barkhouse | 4,776 | 58.1% |
| | Liberal | Laura Mulrooney | 2,160 | 26.3% |
| | New Democratic | Brendan Mosher | 1,290 | 15.7% |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,226 |
| 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 | Danielle Barkhouse | 3,788 | 40.06 | +14.40 | $76,695.05 |
| | Liberal | Jacob Killawee | 3,556 | 37.61 | +2.38 | $67,872.46 |
| | New Democratic | Amy Reitsma | 1,626 | 17.20 | -17.23 | $50,011.78 |
| | Green | Jessica Alexander | 417 | 4.41 | -0.27 | $10,917.97 |
| | Atlantica | Steven Foster | 68 | 0.72 | | $200.00 |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 9,455 | 99.62 | -0.17 | $88,319.62 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 36 | 0.38 | +0.17 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,491 | 62.48 | +4.88 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 15,191 |
| | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +6.01 |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2017

2017 provincial election redistributed results :
| Party | Vote | % |
| Liberal | 2,934 | 35.23 |
| New Democratic | 2,867 | 34.43 |
| Progressive Conservative | 2,137 | 25.66 |
| Green | 390 | 4.68 |
vte2017 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Hugh MacKay | 3,112 | 35.46 | +4.40 |
| | New Democratic | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | 3,021 | 34.42 | -0.82 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Julie Chaisson | 2,230 | 25.41 | -8.29 |
| | Green | Harry Ward | 413 | 4.71 | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 8,776 | 100 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 32 | 0.21 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,808 | 57.60 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 15,291 |
| | Liberal gain from New Democratic | Liberal gain from New Democratic | Swing | Swing | +2.61 |
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia |||||||

### 2013

2013 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| New Democratic Party | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | 3,341 | 35.25 | -12.84 |
| Progressive Conservative | Janet Elizabeth Irwin | 3,193 | 33.69 | +6.22 |
| Liberal | Timothy Whitman Harris | 2,943 | 31.06 | +9.95 |

### 2009

2009 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | 4,835 | 48.09% | 17.49% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Judy Streatch | 2,762 | 27.47% | -15.20% |
| | Liberal | Jo-Ann Grant | 2,122 | 21.11% | -2.57% |
| | Green | Ryan Cameron | 335 | 3.33% | 0.29% |
| Total | Total | Total | 10,054 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 2006

2006 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Judy Streatch | 3,950 | 42.67% | 5.37% |
| | New Democratic | Jane Matheson | 2,833 | 30.60% | -6.27% |
| | Liberal | Rick Fraughton | 2,192 | 23.68% | -0.63% |
| | Green | Joanne MacKinnon | 282 | 3.05% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,257 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 2005 by-election

Chester-St. Margaret's By-election, June 21, 2005 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Progressive Conservative | Judy Streatch | 2,955 | 36.18 | -1.15 |
| Liberal | Rick Fraughton | 2,548 | 31.20 | +6.95 |
| New Democratic Party | Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | 2,434 | 29.80 | -7.10 |
| Green | Michael Oddy | 210 | 2.57 | – |

### 2003

2003 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | John Chataway | 3,451 | 37.30% | -7.97% |
| | New Democratic | Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | 3,412 | 36.87% | 3.43% |
| | Liberal | Mitt Larsen | 2,249 | 24.31% | 3.03% |
| | Nova Scotia Party | Sue Gault | 141 | 1.52% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,253 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1999

1999 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | John Chataway | 4,193 | 45.27% | 10.06% |
| | New Democratic | Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | 3,098 | 33.45% | 2.76% |
| | Liberal | Karen Willis Duerden | 1,971 | 21.28% | -12.82% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,262 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1998

1998 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Hinrich Bitter-Suermann | 3,256 | 35.22% | 5.72% |
| | Liberal | Jim Barkhouse | 3,153 | 34.10% | -17.59% |
| | New Democratic | Doris Maley | 2,837 | 30.68% | 13.77% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,246 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1993

1993 Nova Scotia general election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jim Barkhouse | 5,025 | 51.69% | 1.67% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Aileen Heisler | 2,867 | 29.49% | -9.42% |
| | New Democratic | Jack Ross | 1,644 | 16.91% | 6.61% |
| | Independent | Malcolm Callaway | 185 | 1.90% | 1.14% |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,721 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1988

1988 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jim Barkhouse | 3,024 | 50.02% | 0.96% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Richard P. Eldridge | 2,352 | 38.91% | 6.81% |
| | New Democratic | Wanda Broome | 623 | 10.31% | -8.53% |
| | Independent | Malcolm Callaway | 46 | 0.76% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 6,045 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1984

1984 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jim Barkhouse | 2,696 | 49.06% | 25.70% |
| | Progressive Conservative | David Hatt | 1,764 | 32.10% | -23.38% |
| | New Democratic | Janet Mooney | 1,035 | 18.84% | -2.31% |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,495 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1981

1981 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ron Barkhouse | 2,802 | 55.49% | -11.45% |
| | Liberal | Dave Cook | 1,180 | 23.37% | -4.64% |
| | New Democratic | Janet Mooney | 1,068 | 21.15% | 16.09% |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,050 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1978

1978 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ron Barkhouse | 3,386 | 66.93% | 13.89% |
| | Liberal | Wally MacDonald | 1,417 | 28.01% | -13.05% |
| | New Democratic | Robert Whiting (Sr.) | 256 | 5.06% | -0.84% |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,059 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1974

1974 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Ron Barkhouse | 2,536 | 53.04% | 1.73% |
| | Liberal | Joe Saunders | 1,963 | 41.06% | -7.63% |
| | New Democratic | A. W. (Tony) E. Zinck | 282 | 5.90% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 4,781 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1970

1970 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Maurice L. Zinck | 2,092 | 51.31% | -4.55% |
| | Liberal | Eric Hagen | 1,985 | 48.69% | 4.55% |
| Total | Total | Total | 4,077 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1967

1967 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Maurice L. Zinck | 2,100 | 55.87% | -7.30% |
| | Liberal | Fred Porter Jr. | 1,659 | 44.13% | 7.30% |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,759 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1963

1963 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Maurice L. Zinck | 2,267 | 63.17% | 4.79% |
| | Liberal | Charles E. Harris | 1,322 | 36.83% | -1.49% |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,589 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1960

1960 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | Maurice L. Zinck | 2,140 | 58.37% | 3.93% |
| | Liberal | Kirk S. Hennigar | 1,405 | 38.33% | -7.23% |
| | Co-operative Commonwealth | Albro Boehner | 121 | 3.30% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,666 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||

### 1956

1956 Nova Scotia general election: Lunenburg East :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive Conservative | R. Clifford Levy | 1,887 | 54.44% | – |
| | Liberal | Kirk S. Hennigar | 1,579 | 45.56% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,466 | – |
| Source(s) Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Chester-St. Margaret's" (PDF). nslegislature.ca. |||||||