User:Mr Serjeant Buzfuz/Electoral history of Lorne Calvert



This article is the Electoral history of Lorne Calvert, the thirteenth Premier of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. He served one term, from 2001 to 2007.

Calvert succeeded Roy Romanow as Premier in 2001, upon Romanow's retirement from provincial politics. Calvert led the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) in two general elections, in 2003 and 2007. He won a majority government in 2003, but was defeated in 2007 by Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party, and resigned as Premier. He was the third of three NDP premiers to date.

Calvert stood for election to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan six times, in the general elections of 1986, 1991, 1995, 2003 and 2007. He stood for election in one by-election, in 2001. He was elected every time.

Calvert sought the leadership of the NDP in 2001, following Romanow's announcement that he was retiring from provincial politics. He won the leadership on the fourth round of voting, in a leadership election where all members of the NDP were eligible to vote using an instant run-off ballot.

Following his defeat in the 2007 general election, Calvert acted as Leader of the Opposition from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, he retired from provincial politics and resigned his seat in the Assembly. He was succeeded as NDP leader by Dwain Lingenfelter.

Summary
Calvert was the ninth-longest serving Premier of the fifteen Premiers of Saskatchewan. He was in office from February 8, 2001 to November 21, 2007, for a total of 22 years, 318 days.

Calvert became Premier by succeeding outgoing Premier Roy Romanow, on February 8, 2001. He then led the New Democratic Party in two provincial general elections: 2003 and 2007. He won a narrow majority government in his first election as leader, in 2003, retaining the position of Premier. However, in the next general election Calvert and the NDP were defeated by the Saskatchewan Party, led by Brad Wall. Calvert resigned as Premier and was succeeded by Wall.

Prior to becoming Premier, Calvert was a member of the Cabinet in the government of Roy Romanow, serving as Associate Minister of Health (1991 to 1995), Minister of Health (1995) and Minister of Social Services and Seniors (1995 to 1998). He then took a break from provincial politics for two years, before returning to politics to seek the NDP Leadership.

Calvert began his political career in 1986, when he was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Moose Jaw South (later re-named Moose Jaw Wakamow). It was the first of six elections in two different constituencies, winning each time. He won his seat in Moose Jaw South in the general elections of 1986, 1991 and 1995. He did not stand for election in the general election of 1999, but returned to provincial politics in 2001 when he won the NDP leadership. Outgoing Premier Romanow then resigned his seat in Saskatoon Riversdale, triggering a by-election. Calvert successfully contested the by-election and was elected. He won the seat again in the general elections of 2003 and 2007.

Following his defeat in the 2007 election, Calvert stayed on as leader of the NDP and Leader of the Opposition for two years, until his retirement from politics in 2009. . He was succeeded as leader of the NDP by Dwain Lingenfelter.

Saskatchewan general elections, 2003 and 2007
Calvert led the NDP in two general elections: 2003 and 2007. He won the 2003 election with a narrow majority government, but was defeated by the Saskatchewan Party led by Brad Wall in the 2007 election.

2003 General election
In his first election as leader of the NDP, Calvert won a very narrow majority in the Legislative Assembly and a plurality of the provincial vote, improving the NDP's position from the previous minority government following the 1999 election. He defeated the Saskatchewan Party, led by Elwin Hermanson, who then retired as leader of the Saskatchewan Party.

1 Premier when election was called; Premier after election. 2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Rounding error.

2007 General election
In his second election as leader of the NDP, Calvert was defeated by the Saskatchewan Party, under a new leader, Brad Wall. Calvert resigned as Premier but stayed on as leader of the NDP and Leader of the Opposition for two years, retiring in 2009.

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Premier after election. 2 Premier when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Rounding error.

Saskatchewan constituency elections, 1986 to 1995, 2001 to 2007
Calvert stood for election to the Legislative Assembly six times: three times in the riding of Moose Jaw South (re-named Moose Jaw Wakamow prior to the 2005 election), and three times in Saskatoon Riversdale. He was elected in all six elections.

1986 General election: Moose Jaw South
Elected. X Incumbent. 1 Rounding error.

1991 General election: Moose Jaw Wakamow
Elected. X Incumbent.

1995 General election: Moose Jaw Wakamow
Elected. X Incumbent.

2001 By-election: Saskatoon Riversdale
Elected. 1 Rounding error.

2003 General election: Saskatoon Riversdale
Elected. X Incumbent. 1 Rounding error.

2007 General election: Saskatoon Riversdale
Elected. X Incumbent.

2001 NDP leadership election
Premier Romanow announced his retirement in 2000. The NDP held a leadership election on January 27, 2001. The election was run with a one member, one vote system, open to all party members, coupled with an instant run-off ballot. A candidate had to receive 50% + 1 to win. The last-ranked candidate in each round of voting was eliminated, as were any candidates who failed to gain at least 5% of the vote. Party members could mail their ballots in, or vote in person at the party leadership convention.

Four rounds of vote-counting were needed. Calvert led in each vote-count, and won the leadership on the fourth vote count.

1 Eliminated (under 5%). 2 Withdrew. 3 Eliminated (last place).