Dr. Hamm, a family physician from Pictou County, cultivated enormous trust among skeptical Maritime voters. Throughout the campaign, Dr. Hamm promised to deliver Nova Scotians a government that was honest and stable, in essence, the same qualities they would seek in a family doctor. A dream candidate, Dr. Hamm's personal popularity grew throughout the race, said Jamie Campbell, the Tory campaign co-chairman. The more we were able to put John Hamm and his ideas in front of people, the better off we were. You ask him a question and he gives you a straight answer.
People are surprised by that.
They're always expecting a spin. But in 1993, Nova Scotia voters felt it was too soon to renew their trust. After 15 years in power, the Tories won only nine seats. All three major parties offered up similar platforms with promises to bring down the deficit, balance the budget, hold the line on taxes and improve the health-care system. Although the Tories kept quiet about what deficit-fighting measures they might have in mind, concerns over Nova Scotia's troubled economy may have led some voters to side with the more fiscally conservative Tories.