The 2001 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election was held on January 27, 2001, to elect a successor to Roy Romanow as leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party. The election was necessary because Romanow had announced his intention to step down as leader on September 26, 2000. Lorne Calvert won on the fourth ballot, defeating Chris Axworthy.
Background Attorney General Chris Axworthy largely campaigned on continuing Romanow's legacy, including his Third Way policies.
Lorne Calvert campaigned on a return to the NDP's social democratic roots, positioning himself to the left of both Axworthy and Romanow.
Wiebe ran an explicitly anti-neoliberal campaign, and was perceived as the most left-wing of the candidates.
Candidates Chris Axworthy Chris Axworthy was the MLA for Saskatoon Fairview and Attorney General of Saskatchewan. He was first elected in a June 1999 provincial by-election held months before the 1999 provincial election. Previously, he was the MP for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar (1997–1999) and Saskatoon—Clark's Crossing (1988–1997). Before entering politics, he was a professor of law at the University of Saskatchewan.
Scott Banda Scott Banda was a lawyer from Saskatoon. He was previously president of the Saskatchewan Young New Democrats.
Buckley Belanger Buckley Belanger was the MLA for Athabasca. He was first elected in the 1995 provincial election. Belanger was originally elected as a member of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, but left to join the Saskatchewan NDP in 1998. Previously, he was mayor of Île-à-la-Crosse from 1988 to 1994. Before entering politics, he was a journalist for the Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation.
Lorne Calvert Lorne Calvert was previously the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow (1991–1999) and Moose Jaw South (1986–1991). He had also been the Minister of Social Services from 1995 to 1998. Before entering politics, he was a United Church minister.
Joanne Crofford Joanne Crofford was the MLA for Regina Centre. She was first elected in the 1991 provincial election. Before entering politics, she was a civil servant.
Maynard Sonntag Maynard Sonntag was the MLA for Meadow Lake. He was first elected in the 1991 provincial election. Before entering politics, he was the manager of a credit union.
Nettie Wiebe Nettie Wiebe was previously the president of the National Farmers Union from 1995 to 1998. Immediately prior to the leadership election, she was a professor at the University of Saskatchewan.
Ballot results +First BallotCandidateVotesPercentageLorne Calvert6,54233.66Chris Axworthy5,34427.50Nettie Wiebe3,48717.94Maynard Sonntag1,4597.51Scott Banda1,2696.53Joanne Crofford6693.44Buckley Belanger6653.42Total19,435100.00 (Crofford and Belanger eliminated at under 5%)
+Second BallotCandidateWeighted VotesPercentage+/-Lorne Calvert6,87735.65+1.99Chris Axworthy5,64629.26+1.76Nettie Wiebe3,74919.43+1.49Maynard Sonntag1,7128.87+1.36Scott Banda1,3096.78+0.25Total19,293100.00 (Banda eliminated, Sonntag withdraws)
+Third BallotCandidateWeighted VotesPercentage+/-Lorne Calvert7,83141.80+6.15Chris Axworthy6,68635.69+6.43Nettie Wiebe4,21622.51+3.08Total18,733100.00 (Wiebe eliminated)
+Fourth BallotCandidateWeighted VotesPercentage+/-Lorne Calvert10,28957.60+15.80Chris Axworthy7,57542.40+6.71Total17,864100.00
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