Michelle Thompson; photo courtesy Michelle Thompson
Progressive Conservative Candidate Michelle Thompson ensured a Strait Area Tory sweep with her upset win over Liberal incumbent Randy Delorey on Tuesday.
Delorey, a two term MLA and former senior cabinet member with the Liberals, lost his Antigonish seat to Thompson by 1608 votes, giving the career registered nurse another surprising win on a night of many for the PC party in Nova Scotia.
Thompson said she worked hard over the previous six weeks, saying to see it pay off was thrilling for her and putting her healthcare experience as the reason why she was able to connect with voters on the campaign’s most talked about issue, healthcare.
“I think really coming forward with solutions for Nova Scotians and having clear plans that were costed, that touched all points of health care were really essential,” said Thompson speaking on her win.
Asked what her day one priorities were for the Antigonish riding, Thompson said communicating with constituents and getting to know her community were priorities, promising to be a fair and determined advocate for those in her district.
Antigonish produced a full field of candidates, with the NDP’s Moraig MacGillivray finishing a strong third with 1401 votes tallied.
The Greens Will Fraser and Atlantica Party candidate, Ryan Smyth received 121 and 29 votes respectively.
Voter turnout for the Antigonish electoral district is over 57%, according to polling data from Elections Nova Scotia. Voting results came quickly following news of that polling would continue in the district past 8:00pm, with polls closing at 8:30.
