A historic night in South Shore – St. Margarets.
Liberal Bernadette Jordan has become the first woman to be elected member of parliament in the riding since it was first contested in 1968.
She feels the timing was right for change.
“I know there were lots of options that are going to affect people in this riding. There are things that speak directly to the needs of this riding and I think that’s the reason that this riding has gone Liberal this time.”
Jordan received 18,033 more votes than Conservative Richard Clark.
It’s the first time the Liberals have held the riding federally since 1993.
She joins 31 Liberals in Ottawa to make up a majority government under leader Justin Trudeau.
Meanwhile, the runner-up Clark is proud of his campaign.
The 23 year-old was running for the first time following in the footsteps of Gerald Keddy, who retired after 18 years as an MP.
However, he says it’s not the results they were looking for.
“We gave it our all. There was a Liberal tide in the region and Atlantic Canada and I think that’s reflected in the results.”
He plans to take the next week to thank his volunteers and collect signs across the riding.
Also, the NDP will have to wait to claim the South Shore – St. Margarets riding for the first time.
NDP candidate Alex Godbold finished third in voting, well behind Bernadette Jordan.
He’s disappionted but wishes the new MP well.
“I know she’s worked extremely hard and her success is deserved. I know she has a great love for South Shore – St. Margaret’s. I’m confident she will represent us well.
Godbold says he will continue to support the NDP both provincially and federally.
This was his first campaign.
Unofficial Numbers For South Shore – St. Margarets
*Includes number of votes and percentage of vote*
Liberal – Bernadette Jordan Elected 29,877 56.9%
Conservative Party – Richard Clark 11,844 22.6%
New Democrat – Alex Godbold 8,839 16.8%
Green Party – Richard Biggar 1,520 2.9%
Independent – Trevor Bruhm 249 0.5%
Communist Party of Canada – Ryan Barry 151 0.3%
