Mathieu Lacombe of the CAQ wins in Papineau

Voters in the riding ofPapineau,have made a dramatic change, ending decades of Liberal rule andelecting former TVAjournalist MathieuLacombeof the CoalitionAvenirQubec to represent them in the National Assembly.

Lacombehad 46.9 per cent of the vote with all polls reporting. His closest challenger, LiberalAlexandreIrac had 23.1 per cent of the vote.Irac had beenMNAsince 2012.

The riding largely made up of communities east ofGatineau, Que., includesVal-des-Bois,MontebelloandThurso,and has been Liberal since 1981.

Experts had expected a tough race forIracthis time aroundwith a field of candidates including Lacombe, teacher Yves Destroismaisons of the Parti Qubcois, and Mlanie Pilon-Gauvin of Qubec Solidaire, who works in community development and social services.