Nina Krieger of the B.C. NDP cruised to a win in Victoria-Swan Lake, securing 13,498 votes (55.8 per cent) according to preliminary results.
As it stands, the NDP currently holds a narrow lead with 46 seats, just ahead of the Conservatives with 45, while the Greens have secured 2 seats.
Black Press Media reached out to Krieger for comments shortly after her landslide win.
“I feel honoured that I've been elected by the constituents of Victoria-Swan Lake and tasked with representing them in the legislature,” said Krieger. “This is really their victory and our campaign has never been about electing one candidate but it's really about fighting for the… communities in Victoria-Swan Lake.”
After winning her first campaign, Krieger described the experience as "phenomenal."
“It was such an amazing learning process and collaborative undertaking,” said Krieger. “I was so fortunate to have an amazing team, tireless volunteers and phenomenal support from all of the other candidates in the region as well.
“It was a lot of fun and it felt like a real privilege to connect with people on the streets and hear about their concerns and hopes for the future.”
Krieger easily held off challenges from B.C. Green Party candidate Christina Winter, who captured 5,618 votes (23.2 per cent) and Tim Taylor of the B.C. Conservatives with 4,916 votes (20.3 per cent). Communist candidate Robert Crooks garnered 150 votes.
Despite her loss, Winter remained in high spirits, expressing her gratitude for the support she received from the residents of Victoria-Swan Lake.
“I'm very proud of the campaign that we ran,” said Winter. “Thousands of people trusted me with their vote for the first time and the plan has always been that we would be running again.”
Eager to hit the ground running, Winter announced she would be back on the streets campaigning for the next election starting Tuesday.
“When I started this journey 18 months ago and I was talking to community leaders, they asked me ‘If you don't win this time are you going to stick around,’ and my commitment to them was ‘Yes.’ I will be running again in Victoria-Swan Lake.”
The riding has been an NDP stronghold for over a decade. Rob Fleming, who has served four consecutive terms as MLA and held several cabinet positions including minister of transportation, announced in July that he would not seek re-election.
Fleming was at the B.C. NDP's Victoria headquarters at the Parkside Hotel and commented on Krieger’s win.
“Nina Krieger in Victoria-Swan Lake, my old constituency, has done very well and ran a great campaign,” said Fleming. “[She] has a very strong plurality of votes and is hands down the runaway winner in that constituency.
“[She] has put in the work and gone around the riding and the combination of hard work as well as being an impressive new star candidate.”
Black Press Media reached out to Tim Taylor for comment but did not receive a response.
