Liberal Ken Hardie defeats Nina Grewal in Fleetwood-Port Kells

Public relations veteran Ken Hardie notched a surprise win for the Liberals Monday over longtime Conservative Nina Grewal in the Surrey riding ofFleetwood-Port Kells.

Hardie may be a newcomer to politics, but hisname is familiar to people in the Lower Mainland as the former spokesman of both TransLink and ICBC.

Grewalwas first elected in the seat in 2004 and was considered a strong candidate for re-election. But polls suggested she might be in trouble.

One of the main issues in the riding was thought to be the spate of gang violence which has plagued nearby Newton and Surrey. The area has seen both problems with targeted shootings and random violence.

To that end, the NDP candidate, Garry Begg, boasted a long career as an RCMP officer.

But Hardie said he believed the main issue for residents was the economy.