Heather McPherson elected as NDP holds on to Edmonton-Strathcona

EDMONTON – In a riding where the NDP and Tories were neck and neck for the last week before voting day, the orange candidate managed to pull ahead and claim Edmonton-Strathcona.

Team Orange wins decisively in #EdmontonStrathcona! Thank you all for your support! #elxn43 pic.twitter.com/5ioWQPnK24

— Heather McPherson (@HMcPhersonMP) October 22, 2019

Here she is, Edmonton Strathcona's apparent winner Heather McPherson. #yeg #elxn43 #CanadaElection2019 pic.twitter.com/Xp7qAtcxNn

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 22, 2019

The New Democrats’ Heather McPherson claimed the seat for the riding which was previously held by the same party. Outgoing MP Linda Duncan joined McPherson on stage for her speech.

A quick chat with Heather McPherson, fresh off her win in the riding of Edmonton – Strathcona (she is the lone non-Conservative MP in Alberta). #yeg #cdnpoli #elxn43 #CanadaElection2019 pic.twitter.com/61VfQJw98L

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 22, 2019

“It’s been a long haul and it’s been really exciting. I’ll tell you, I woke up this morning and I didn’t know which way it was going,” McPherson told CityNews.

She praised Duncan for her years of service and said she will pick up the battle with the former MP as an inspiration.

“She has fought so hard for Albertans, she has represented Edmonton-Strathcona so well. And I think that’s what I’m taking [from her]–that fight, that need to actually be embedded in the community.”

With 100% of the polls in, NDP candidate Heather McPherson wins Edmonton Strathcona by a full 10% of the vote. #yeg #cdnpoli #CanadianElection #CanadaElection2019 pic.twitter.com/VbVID9Bk4T

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 22, 2019

 

McPherson campaigned with a focus on alternative energy sources and moving away from a dependence on fossil fuels, something a fair chunk of the province might not be so keen on.

“We have to move our economy in a more diversified [direction]. Everybody knows that,” said McPherson, adding she’ll be leaning on her experience working with the public sector as well as guidance from the Alberta NDP.

The riding, which is a but blip of orange in the otherwise-blue province, proved to be an interesting one this election. Just days before voting day, the Green candidate in the riding withdrew from the race, encouraging his supporters to vote NDP.

READ MORE: ‘My goal has always been policy change’: Green candidate throws support behind NDP counterpart

The riding has been held by the NDP since 2008.

On the provincial level, the riding is held by former premier and current official opposition leader Rachel Notley.

-with files from Courtney Theriault