Windsor-Essex holds orange in Ontario election, but PCs came close
Incumbents held their spots in this election, but Essex was a close race
It was an unpredictable provincial election campaign, but the NDP incumbents of Windsor and Essex County managed to hold their seats. Although, one riding held a particularly close race.
Provincially,Ontario's Progressive Conservatives led by Doug Fordsecured a majority government,ending nearly 15 years of Liberal power in the province.
Locally, the NDP held strong. Here's a look at how the night went:
Windsor West and Windsor-Tecumseh
There was excitement and disappointment in the room of supporters in the ridings in Windsor West and Windsor-Tecumseh, where NDP incumbents Lisa Gretzky and PercyHatfieldheld a shared celebration.
CBC News projected bothGretzky and Hatfield have held on to their seats in southwestern Ontario. They're happy with the results and that they will form the official opposition. But they wish they had secured enough seats to form government.
Heres Windsor West NDP Lisa Gretzkys victory speech (shes the projected winner) https://t.co/TQw7BSq0S7
—@JasonViauCBC
Both candidates believe they don't need a new leader to take them to the next level and say the NDP's Andrea Horwath can remain at the helm for as long as she wants.
Meanwhile, supporters are worried about how Ontario will change under a PC majority government. Some called him 'Donald Trump Jr.', while other saidhe's better than Kathleen Wynne.
And NDP Windsor-Tecumseh Percy Hatfields victory speed (hes projected winner) https://t.co/cPHT1td44P
—@JasonViauCBC
Windsor West NDPMP Brian Masse was also at the venue to support his peers. He gave some insights into what's in store for the province under a PC regime.
WATCH: Heres how Windsor West NDP MP @BrianMasseMP believes the relationship between Ont. and the feds will change under a projected PC gov. pic.twitter.com/Olos0ybCot
—@JasonViauCBC
Essex
It was a bitter sweet victory for NDP incumbent Taras Natyshak as CBC projects him as the NDP MPP in the Essex riding. He was looking for a better outcome provincially.
"The results are a little bit disappointing but we will hold this government accountable for the promises that they made," said Natyshak, standing at the legion in Belle River in front of friends and family.
But it was a tight race for Natyshak, as his PC opponent Chris Lewis came close to unseating him.
Natyshak said Ontario is in for a "new reality" with a Doug Ford government because he believes Ford has not shown the public where the money will be going.
This is CBC projected winner NDP Taras Natyshaks son Drake. He says Im just proud of him, all the hard work he has done has paid off @CBCWindsor #WdrVotes pic.twitter.com/3R6ItltQOm
—@megdroberts
This is the third termin a row for Natyshakin Essex.
Rebecca Laplant, an NDP supporter, cheered Natyshak on as he walked through the front doors. She said she couldn't be happier because he's the right person for the job.
"He's so genuine and he has a true passion for Windsor-Essex... He is going to fight.