Wildrose falters in Alberta polls

Polls earlier in the election campaignsuggested the Alberta Wildrose was flirting with a majority, but it seems those numbers didn't translate on election day.

Although Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith won her seat in Highwood with just over half the popular vote, the Progressive Conservatives won amajority government.

"Tonight we found outchangemight take a little longer than we thought," Smith said in her concession speech, adding that her party was up against a formidable opponent.

TheWildrose has been elected in17 ridings a big jump from no seats in the2008 election.

Smith said that growth is "nothing short of remarkable" andshe is proud of her party's campaign.

"Am I surprised?Yeah.Am I disappointed? Yeah. Am I discouraged? Not a chance," she said.

Smithsaidshe stands at thehelm of the OfficialOpposition, and she will"hold the government to account on behalf of all Albertans."

It seems those who cast ballotsin Calgary voted strategically, with a collapsedLiberal votegoing to the Progressive Conservatives.

It also lookslikerural ridings are more split between the PCs and Wildrosethan what was originally predicted in early election polls.