Russell MacNeil

Russell MacNeil
MLA for Cape Breton Centre
In office
1989–1998
Preceded by Wayne Connors
Succeeded by Frank Corbett
Personal details
Born New Waterford, Nova Scotia
Political party Liberal
Residence Dartmouth, Nova Scotia[1]

Russell Francis MacNeil is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Cape Breton Centre in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1989 to 1998. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[2]

Born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, MacNeil graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with an arts degree in 1953, and an education degree in 1954.[1] MacNeil entered provincial politics in 1989, running as the Liberal candidate in a Cape Breton Centre by-election.[3] Defeated by seven votes on election night,[4][5] the number was reduced to two when official results were announced.[6][7] However, a judicial recount in September ended with MacNeil being declared the winner by three votes.[8] His Progressive Conservative opponent appealed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court,[9] and in February 1990, the by-election was declared invalid and MacNeil's victory voided.[10] A second by-election was held on August 28, 1990, with MacNeil winning the seat.[8] He was re-elected in the 1993 election,[11] and served as a backbench member of John Savage's government. MacNeil did not seek re-election in 1998.[12]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "It all started at the Strand Gym for Russell MacNeil". Cape Breton Post. May 27, 2010. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  2. "Electoral History for Cape Breton Centre". Nova Scotia Legislative Library. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
  3. "Cape Breton summer by-election heating up". The Globe and Mail. August 21, 1989.
  4. "Tory wrests riding from Liberal by 7 votes". The Globe and Mail. August 23, 1989.
  5. "Tory wins by 7 votes in Cape Breton riding". Toronto Star. August 23, 1989.
  6. "Two-vote margin found after Nova Scotia recount". The Globe and Mail. August 30, 1989.
  7. "Recount ordered in N.S. by-election". Toronto Star. August 30, 1989.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Return of By-elections for the House of Assembly 1989 and 1990". Elections Nova Scotia. 1990. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  9. "N.S. Tories to appeal by-election recount". The Globe and Mail. September 26, 1989.
  10. "N.S. judge orders 2nd by-election". The Globe and Mail. February 2, 1990.
  11. "Returns of General Election for the House of Assembly 1993". Elections Nova Scotia. 1993. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  12. "Coal is king in C.B. Centre". The Chronicle Herald. March 11, 1998. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-06.