NDP Simons re-elected

NDP incumbent MLA Nicholas Simons is heading back to the legislature in Victoria again as part of the opposition government.

Simons, the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, had 9,253 votes or 55.03 per cent with 113 of 136 polls reported in just before 10 p.m. Liberal Patrick Muncaster had 5,622 votes or 33.44 per cent and Green Richard Till 1,939 votes or 11.53 per cent.

I'm pleased to have been declared a winner here in Powell River-Sunshine Coast, Simons said. It's early in the evening and clearly I don't want to say thank you until I know it's for sure, but I do thank everybody who participated in the process and who came out to the polls today to cast their vote.

Several media outlets called the riding just after 8:30 p.m. with CBC declaring Simons the first candidate elected.

Simons has held the riding since 2005, when he won it with 43 per cent of the vote. He took the riding again in 2009 with 58 per cent of the vote.

It's been a good eight years so far, Simons said. I hope I can bring an even stronger voice back to Victoria. I think there are some really important issues that we need to deal with. I'm pleased to have been given another opportunity to do so, if the numbers hold out, but it's yet to be seen.

Muncaster, speaking to a small group of supporters at Sirens by the Sea Steakhouse in Davis Bay, thanked his family and campaign manager Shannon Kewley for their dedication.

It's been an amazing campaign, Muncaster said just before 9 p.m., after Simons was declared the winner with almost 60 per cent of the counted vote. I met so many people and I want to thank all of you who worked on my campaign and contributed to the effort.

Muncaster said he enjoyed his interactions with Simons and Till, describing them as people who are interested in public service and there's no higher calling.The election came at a time when B.C. is making some really important decisions about its future, he said, sounding a victory note for the Liberals, who were leading the polls province-wide.

We've got a triple-A credit rating, we've got a lot of natural resources, we've got talented people, and we can move this province forward for this generation, he said, garnering loud applause.

In a stunning election night turn of events the B.C. Liberals were poised to form a majority government in the province after several Lower Mainland media outlets made the call around 9:45 p.m.

Read more on the election in the print and on-line editions of Coast Reporter on May 17.

With files from Laura Walz/Powell River Peak and John Gleeson/Coast Reporter