There were plenty of surprises in Newfoundland and Labrador last night and when the dust settled, the political landscape was more evenly split than it has been in recent memory.
The NDP did not factor in any of the races as its support virtually collapsed.
The Conservatives increased their total to two seats from one, and the Liberals garnered four seats, down from six. One riding, Terra Nova-The Peninsulas, remains too close to call.
THE LATEST: Terra Nova-The Peninsulas
Conservative upstart Jonathan Rowe and Liberal Anthony Germain remain in a dead heat, with the polls too close to call.
Initially, Rowe made early tracks in the race, but votes slowly turned red in the final ballots late last night.
With one poll still left to report, the results between the two remain razor thin with Germain leading by less than 50 votes.
VOCM News is tracking the developments.
MP-Elect for Cape Spear Tom Osborne (VOCM News)
In Cape Spear, former provincial cabinet minister Tom Osborne breezed to victory. He told the VOCM election broadcast that the only commitment he’s making is to do his best.
He says they have many issues to work on including the development of natural resources, housing and affordability.
Liberal cabinet minister Joanne Thompson handily defeated Conservative David Brazil in St. John’s East.
On the Conservative success in many parts of rural Newfoundland, Thompson says those are conversations that need to be had over the coming days to understand what people are feeling, and what needs to happen in those ridings moving forward.
Liberal Paul Connors is going to the House of Commons after a decisive victory over Conservative Steve Kent.
Connors was the executive assistant for former maverick MP Ken McDonald, infamous in recent months for voting against his own party on the carbon tax—twice.
He says while he learned a lot from McDonald, he’ll chart his own course, depending on the issue.
“I’m not going to say that I’m going to follow in his footsteps that way, but I’m certainly going to be a person who will advocate for the riding,” he said. “I think that Ken did that in a way that you could certainly stand up for people in your riding, or people in the province, and still be able to be part of a party.”
Kent, a veteran politician and former deputy premier, has no regrets. He doesn’t know if being appointed as the candidate rather than winning the nomination the traditional way contributed to his defeat.
“It’s well known that I wasn’t planning on being a candidate but when you’re called by the party, you step up, especially given the state that the country is in,” said Kent.
Signs for Lynnette Powell and Clifford Small in Grand Falls-Windsor
Clifford Small breezed to victory in central Newfoundland over Liberal challenger Dr. Lynette Powell.
He says people wanted a change, which is why the Conservatives made a breakthrough in Newfoundland. As well, he says the Liberals did not support our resource industries, leaving many in the district who used to work in oil and gas without that option.
Conservative Carol Anstey took the west coast from the Liberals over Don Bradshaw. She says the cost of living was the main issue she heard at the door.
“They were ready for a change and we were able to deliver that change,” said Anstey.
Labrador will continue to be represented by the Liberals with Philip Earle being the first candidate in the country to be declared elected.
