Jack Harris (politician)

John James "Jack" Harris (born October 27, 1948 in St. John's, Newfoundland) is a Canadian politician and lawyer. He is the former leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party.

Harris became a member of the Canadian House of Commons after winning a by-election in the electoral district of St. John's East on July 20, 1987. Harris was only the second New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate ever elected in Newfoundland and Labrador. He lost his seat the following year in the 1988 federal election.

Harris was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the 1990 provincial election. He became the leader of the provincial NDP in 1992, and was re-elected to the Legislature in the 1993, 1996, 1999 and 2003 elections.

Harris had unsuccessfully ran for the seat of mayor of St. John's in the 1997 St. John's municipal elections, losing by a very close margin to Andy Wells.

On October 28, 2005, Harris announced that he would retire as leader of the provincial NDP once his successor was chosen at a leadership convention. On May 28, 2006, social activist Lorraine Michael was chosen to succeed him at the party's convention.

Harris is the federal NDP candidate in the riding of St. John's East in the Canadian federal election, 2008. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/09/08/harris-east.html Former MP Harris sets sights on St. John's East ] , CBC News, September 8, 2008]

References