The voters in Gander district have chosen to remain Liberal.
From the first poll announced - the special ballot – Gander incumbent John Haggie was in the lead. He had taken the single poll, 225 – 111, over PC candidate Ryan Wagg.
At the Curling Club, the news brought his supporters to their feet, cheering.
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” a relaxed Haggie quipped.
And it certainly did.
While voters were still coming in, Haggie had claimed 30 of 32 polls. There are 35 polls for the central Newfoundland district.
He feels the support of the voters is a reflection of the past three and half years he has served.
“You’re always nervous because at the end of the day, on election night, who walks away as the MHA is not your decision to make,” he said. “It comes down to what a member does or appears to have been able to do for the district. I worked hard and I think the district recognized that.”
Haggie, who served as the Health minister in the last provincial government, couldn’t speculate on whether or not he would remain in the cabinet if Liberals form government, stating it’s a decision that has to be made by the premier.
“If I’m asked to do that, I would be happy to do that,” he said.
Wagg, a first-time candidate, said the Progressive Conservatives had made some tremendous headway over a month of campaigning.
“We put our heart and soul into it, but the people have spoken,” he said. “If we had a couple of more weeks I think the outcome would have been a bit differently.”
He’s hasn’t ruled out running again.
“I can’t say I wouldn’t run again, it’s been a great experience.”
