Nova Scotia's political parties are sure to be watching the results in Eastern Shore on election night — a bellwether in provincial elections for more than four decades.
Since the 1970 provincial election, every person elected in Eastern Shore has been on the government side. The party that won the riding has gone on to win the election 12 consecutive times, spanning all three major parties.
Sid Prest, the New Democrat incumbent in Eastern Shore, was elected in 2009. (CBC)
It took three elections for New Democrat candidate Sid Prest to finally win the riding in 2009, in the orange wave that saw Nova Scotia elect its first NDP government. He's hoping to keep the seat.
"I can give them honest representation, continuously," Prest told CBC News on Wednesday.
Odds are, Prest's fate is tied to New Democrat Leader Darrell Dexter's fate.
Eastern Shore voted Liberal during the Gerald Regan years in the 1970s, then switched to the Progressive Conservatives in 1978 with the formation of the John Buchanan government. It was represented by a Tory until 1993 when the Liberals came to power, then went back to the Progressive Conservatives during the John Hamm and Rodney MacDonald years.
Progressive Conservative candidate Steve Brine is inheriting a rich Tory tradition in Eastern Shore. (CBC)
Progressive Conservative candidate Steve Brine is inheriting a rich Tory tradition. His campaign headquarters is in a building owned by the local Progressive Conservative riding association.
"This is the house Tom McInnis built," Brine said, referring to long-time Progressive Conservative MLA who represented the Eastern Shore between 1978 and 1993.
"I have taught along the Shore for over 30 years. I was elected school board member so they have great knowledge of what I've done for them."
Liberal candidate Kevin Murphy believes it's his turn to represent the constituents in Eastern Shore. (CBC)
But Kevin Murphy believes it's his turn to win the race.
The Liberal candidate, who uses a wheelchair, is an advocate for people with disabilities. He owns a newsletter, DJ service and is general manager of the Eastern Shore Junior "B" Mariners Hockey Club — and his campaign vehicle is a bus he bought from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"Now is the time to make a change and to get somebody in there with a strong voice who will speak very loudly on behalf of the people of the Eastern Shore," said Murphy.
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