Recount confirms PC David Bowlby wins Annapolis riding
Progressive Conservative David Bowlby emerged victorious in the Nova Scotia riding of Annapolis after a lengthy judicial recount that confirmed his win by an eight-vote margin. Bowlby successfully unseated Liberal incumbent Carman Kerr, who had held the seat since 2021.
The recount was triggered following the initial results of the November 26 provincial election, which showed Bowlby clinching victory by just seven votes, prompting an automatic recount due to the narrow margin. The recount took place at the Annapolis Royal fire hall and concluded with Bowlby maintaining his lead with a total of 3,289 votes compared to Kerr’s 3,281. The other candidates, Cheryl Burbridge of the NDP and Sara Adams of the Green Party, received 689 and 139 votes respectively.
In a gracious response to the outcome, Kerr expressed acceptance of the results, stating, “No one ever wants to lose, especially in public, but it’s part of life and I’ve had two weeks since the election to mull it over. I’m fine with the result.”
Following the recount, Bowlby was sworn in as the MLA for Annapolis at Province House, alongside other members of the 65th General Assembly. He reflected on the challenging campaign and extended gratitude to his supporters while acknowledging the efforts of his opponents.
This recount marked the second instance of a PC candidate unseating a Liberal incumbent in Nova Scotia that week, with Nick Hilton defeating Zach Churchill in the Yarmouth riding by a 16-vote margin. Kerr pledged to continue supporting the Nova Scotia Liberal Party as it embarks on a rebuilding phase following Churchill’s announcement of stepping down as leader.
The political landscape in Nova Scotia continues to evolve, with the newly elected MLAs taking their oaths and preparing to serve their constituents. As the province navigates these transitions, the commitment to representing the interests of Nova Scotians remains paramount for all elected officials.
