The NDP and the Progressive Conservatives have filed for recounts in three of the closest races in the Nova Scotia election but former Liberal MLA Michel Samson says he won’t be seeking one for an election that saw him lose his seat by 21 votes.
On May 30, Cape Breton-Richmond Progressive Conservative candidate Alana Paon defeated the long-time Liberal incumbent.
In a release by the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, Samson announced he would not be seeking a judicial recount for the riding.
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“On election night I accepted the fact that the PC candidate had secured more votes than we had and called to congratulate her,” Samson said in the release. “I met with my campaign team Sunday night and they unanimously supported my decision not to seek a judicial recount.”
Samson went on to thank his constituents for their support over his 19 years as an MLA. Samson was first elected in 1998 and re-elected in each subsequent election.
Under the Liberal government, he served as Economic and Rural Development Minister and Minister of Acadian Affairs. He was also named Energy Minister after Andrew Younger was dismissed from both the Liberal caucus and cabinet.
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Last week, Premier Stephen McNeil had told reporters that he had “profound respect” for Samson and that it was a disappointing loss for both the party and himself.
The former minister then went on to extend congratulations to Paon and NDP candidate Larry Keating for “an exciting campaign.” He also thanked McNeil for his friendship and “the faith he placed in me.”
He concluded asking people to accept the results and allow Paon to represent the riding.
The PCs have filed a recount for the ridings of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank after Liberal Bill Horne squeaked out a win against PC Dan McNaughton with 66 votes. They also filed a recount in Guysborough-Eastern Shore-Tracadie where Liberal incumbent Lloyd Hines beat PC candidate Rob Wolf by 71 votes.
The NDP have also filed in Chester-St. Margaret’s which saw incumbent Denise Peterson-Rafuse lose the seat she’s held since 2009 against Liberal Hugh MacKay by 90 votes.
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