Lisa Roberts is the new MLA for Halifax Needham. Roberts won yesterday's by-election, maintaining the New Democratic Party’s 18-year dominion in the riding.
The first-time political candidate—a former CBC journalist and current executive director of Veith House—won by an 831-vote margin over Liberal party candidate Rod Wilson.
“I am honoured that the people of Halifax Needham have put their trust in me to represent them at Province House,” said Roberts in a press release. “An MLA should be a partner with the people they represent and I am ready to get to work on pressing community issues like access to family doctors, investment in community groups, and affordable housing.”
Halifax Needham voters elected Roberts with close to 51 percent of the votes (according to unofficial results). Wilson, executive director of the North End Community Health Centre, came in with nearly 34 percent of the 4,500 votes cast. Andy Arsenault (PC) and Thomas Trappenberg (Green) came third and fourth with 12.14 and 3.25 percent of the votes, respectively.
Voter turnout was low, at only 33 percent, a drop from the 50 percent turnout in the last general election.
Roberts replaces long-standing New Democrat MLA Maureen MacDonald, who retired in April.
For more information on Roberts’ policies and interests, check out our Q&A with the Halifax Needham candidates from last week.
