Tough race for unsuccessful contenders in federal byelection

Dec 11, 2017 | 11:41 PM

Tonight’s early results in the federal byelection for the Battlefords-Lloydminster riding appear to have paved the way for a landslide victory for Conservative candidate Rosemarie Falk, to replace long-serving Conservative MP Gerry Ritz who announced his retirement during the summer.

Falk said travelling throughout the riding and listening to people may have benefitted her in doing so well in the race.

She said she has been “reassuring people” she met that “she is here to serve them,” which she believes has probably helped her in the race.

Some of the contenders in the race appear to have had a hard challenge trying to overcome the Conservative stronghold over the riding. 

NDP candidate Matt Fedler said he hasn’t given up, and seemed buoyed to run again in the future despite the numbers.    

“I’m proud of the campaign we ran,” he said. “It was a strong grass-roots campaign. This was always building towards the next one, the next one and the next one after that.”

“I’m 25 years old,” added Fedler. “This won’t be the last election that I run in. It’s been a great experience, and I’m excited for the next one.” 

Liberal candidate Larry Ingram wanted to reserve comment, but did say he had thought having Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visit North Battleford to show his support for Ingram would have made more of a difference.  

“I was so impressed he came here,” he said. “But I can see it didn’t make a lot of difference to a lot of other people.” 

He said he wasn’t surprised to see the results however. 

As far as considering running again in the future, he said he will think about it, adding “we’ll see how the world works.”

Ingram added in the end it’s the voters who decide who they want.

 

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