Career
He led the New Brunswick Confederation of Regions Party from 1995-1999. He defeated incumbent Liberal Robert Simpson in the riding of York North, who had been elected as the first Liberal in the riding since 1953, in the 1987 Liberal sweep. The CoR party went through numerous leadership disputes, and Hargrove eventually became the leader in July 1995 shortly before that year"s election.
He was defeated in his bid for re-election in the riding of Mactaquac, placing a strong third place.
Hargrove attempted to re-enter the House in a 1997 by-election in Tantramar, but finished a distant fourth of four candidates, getting only 2.5% of the vote, compared to 10% for the CoR candidate two years earlier. He continued to the lead the party until after the writs were dropped for the 1999 election, but declined to contest a seat and resigned the leadership.
He was replaced as leader by Jim Webb.
