It looks like incumbent Scot Davidson has won the York-Simcoe riding once again.
Davidson and his team of volunteers and supporters gathered at the Sutton Legion Monday night as results from the election were coming in across the region.
Some familiar faces were spotted at the Davidson post-party, including MPP Caroline Mulroney, former MP Peter Van Loan, Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk and Deputy Mayor Rob Grossi.
"I'm very excited for Scot and thrilled for the residents of York-Simcoe to have Scot back in the House of Commons," said Mulroney.
"His victory shows how hard people in this riding work."
"We work well together," she added.
"I just want to say thanks, and I am so honored once again to earn the trust of our great community, York-Simcoe," said Davidson.
He thanked his volunteers, supporters and family-wife, Suzanne and son, Graydon.
"I am ready to get to work," he said.
His priorities he said are the issues he heard when out campaigning, including housing affordability, Lake Simcoe, and healthcare.
He also noted working with Mulroney on getting the Bradford by-pass started.
He said the election wasn't hard for him, "I didn't have a hard part, I love hard work, I am used to working 12-14 hours a day," he said.
"During the last 41 days of this campaign my focus has been one thing all the time and that's you the people of York-Simcoe and it will always be about you."
"I will continue to be your voice in parliament and I will continue to stand up for things that matter to you."
New Democratic Party candidate, Jessa McLean and her team were stationed at Wild Wing on Dalston Road in Sutton.
McLean arrived early before most of her team.
"The work is over. Now we can just sit back and relax – it's out of our hands," she said.
She added, as she waited for the polls to close, "The work is over, but the fight is never done."
McLean said that compared to the by-election earlier this year, which lasted 60 days, this election campaign "seems like a flash."
The hardest to take? The negativity on line.
"Every morning you'd have to filter through outright attacks, foul language. You try to ignore it and focus on the positive."We could feel we were reaching more people," she said – in part due to the popularity of Jagmeet Singh. "The national team did what they had to do."
She's not disappointed by the results. "It's a movement we're trying to build;" it's not measured in votes, "but by the amount of people you really touch, especially the volunteers. Means you're inspiring people."
And with a Liberal minority government, it looks like the NDP will hold the balance of power.
"I'm still looking for the final numbers, McLean said. "We need really strong, scrappy voices," pushing policies that include pharmacare and proportional representation.
As for the next election, McLean will be back. "They say you have to run thee times before you win."
Liberal candidate, Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux gathered with her team of supporters on Georgina Island.
"I knew going in how blue the riding is and stood with honour for the Liberal party even though I also knew as a late arrival to the seat it would be tough. It looks like we pulled a significant number of votes, and there is no shame in coming in second given our circumstances! Will sleep just fine," she said.
– with files from Miriam King
