It has been held by members of each of the three major political parties in Nova Scotia at different times.

The riding was once the home of Liberal Premier Gerald Regan before going to Progressive Conservative Edmund L. Morris for the majority of the 1980s.

When he stepped down in 1988, the Progressive Conservatives lost the seat in that election to Gerry O'Malley, who was unseated from his position as Liberal Minister of Supply and Services in 1998.

In 2013, it lost the area south of Robie Street and east of Young Street to Halifax Chebucto and gained the area north of Bayers Road and east of Connaught Avenue from Halifax Chebucto.

[3] This riding has elected the following members of the Legislative Assembly: The land-area of Halifax Needham is 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi).