The endorsements

Nathan Cullen wins the blessings of Fin Donnelly and Alex Atamanenko.

Atamanenko, a three-term MP first elected in 2006, said Cullen’s support for voting reform and openness to doing politics differently were key factors. He also said Cullen’s ideas on rural issues, including food security and the Canadian Wheat Board, helped. “The fact is that to defeat Stephen Harper, we’re going to have to win Conservative seats outside big cities,” he said. “Nathan Cullen’s record of bringing urban and rural people together is a big plus.”

Messrs Donnelly and Atamanenko are Mr. Cullen’s first two endorsements from the NDP caucus. Excluding Olivia Chow and interim leader Nycole Turmel, who will remain neutral, that leaves 31 NDP MPs unaligned.