Bruce Stanton has won a fifth straight term as the MP for Simcoe North.
While results are not yet official, with more than half of the 267 polls reporting, Stanton managed to garner almost 14,000 votes as of 11:15 p.m. - about 3,500 more than first-time Liberal candidate Gerry Hawes.
Stanton arrived in Coldwater shortly before 11 p.m. where he was met by an enthusiastic crowd of about 80 people at the Bonaire Golf Club.
He and his wife Heather hugged cheering supporters, many of whom arrived three hours earlier.
"I'm pretty elated at the win here today," Stanton said. "It's such an honour to continue representing the people of Simcoe North. It's humbling."
Hawes, who had earned almost 10,000 votes as of 11:15 p.m., was with his supporters at Brewery Bay Food Co. in downtown Orillia as the results came in. He admitted he was disappointed.
"Despite our best efforts, it wasn't enough," he said. "I am disappointed ... but I fully support the decision of the people of Simcoe North."
He said the silver lining is the Liberal Party's re-election.
"We can rejoice this evening in that there's going to be a Liberal minority government," he said.
Rookie NDP candidate Angelique Belcourt was buoyed by the results. She amassed almost 5,000 votes.
"I definitely did better than I expected,” said the 23-year-old, who stepped in to represent the party after Janet Lynne Durnford pulled out of the race due to concerns about the vetting process.
“I'm very grateful and eager to see the rest of the results," Belcourt said while with a group of supporters at the Maple Canadian Pub in Midland.
Green Party candidate Valerie Powell was in fourth place as of 11:15 p.m. with 3,100 votes, while People's Party of Canada candidate Stephen Makk was fifth with 680 votes and Christian Heritage Party candidate Chris Brown was in last place with 191 votes.
Watch for full stories, more reaction and more photos tomorrow morning.
