Joan Harris

Joan Harris is an Acadian politician who served as the 5th Speaker of the Senate while she was a senator from Augusta Beach. She was elected as Speaker in 1996, 1998, and 2000. In 2002, Harris did not submit her name for consideration. First elected to the Senate in 1990, Harris served until she was term-limited at four terms, ending her tenure in 2006.

A dedicated moderate and Independent, Harris was the first Independent Speaker and the first Speaker who was not Progressive or Conservative.

1996 results
In the Speakership election, the top two winners of the plurality are forced into a run-off. Harris won the plurality with 76 votes. She and Progressive Hank Ball were forced into the run-off.

Harris received 104 out of 181 votes, about 57% of the vote, winning the Speakership.


 * Votes for Harris (104): 24 Progressive, 33 Conservative, 15 Green, 26 Independent, 3 New Liberal, 2 National Evangelical, 1 Socialist United
 * Votes for Ball (77): 26 Progressive, 8 Conservative, 19 Green, 2 Independent, 12 New Liberal, 9 National Evangelical, 1 Socialist United