CBC - Nova Scotia Votes 2003

Darrell Dexter, leader of the New Democratic Party and Cole Harbour MLA.

Danny Graham Darrell Dexter wants you to forget he's a lawyer, and think of him as the leader with "the right experience for today's families."

The MLA for Cole Harbour is trying hard to put some distance between him and the professionals who lead the other two parties.

Under his leadership, the New Democrats have kept so-called "family" issues on the political agenda.

The NDP was the first of the three parties to have a platform on auto insurance, by first creating a task force to look into the issue. The party also pushed the ruling Tories to improve the rules for seniors in long-term care, and give workers' compensation benefits for firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

In fact, it's been a successful few years for the NDP.

Dexter was swept into the Legislature with 18 other NDP members on March 24, 1998, – the largest NDP caucus in provincial history. A year later, they beat out the Liberals to form the official opposition.

Now Dexter's biggest challenge will be to maintain his party's status in the legislature.

Quick facts: Darrell Dexter

Education:	Graduated from University of King’s College with B.A. and B. J. Graduated from Dalhousie University with B.Ed and law degree
Employment:	Lawyer in the Dartmouth firm Weldon, Beeler, Mont & Dexter
Politics:	Alderman, Dartmouth City Council 1994-1996. Elected to the legislature on March 24, 1998. Becomes leader of NDP on April 13, 2002. Wins NDP leadership race June 2, 2002.
Extra:	Board of directors, Victorian Order of Nurses Dartmouth Branch member of Dartmouth General Hospital ommission 1994-1996 chairman Dartmouth Waterfront Development Task Force
Family:	Married to Kelly Wilson. Son Harris Wilson Dexter

A member of the NDP for 25 years, he appears to have the support of the party faithful. He won the leadership in 2002 with 63 per cent support.

But when 1,200 Nova Scotians were polled in mid-May, Dexter trailed Premier John Hamm and Liberal Leader Danny Graham in popularity. The Corporate Research poll said he had 18 per cent support.

The same poll had his party trailing both the Liberals and Tories, with the support of just 23 per cent of decided voters.

But Dexter, never one to shy away from a debate, has a long history as underdog in political fights. There was the time he took two weeks off from law school in 1981 to campaign from a Port Hawkesbury trailer for the NDP candidate … who lost.

This time, Dexter's pushing his resume: the part about the education degree, the bit about his role with the Victorian Order of Nurses. And, of course, his time on Dartmouth city council.

Sam Moon and Rick Gautreau sing in support of Darrell Dexter (runs 3:21)

Information on the NDP

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