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BC Liberals take Chilliwack and Chilliwack-Kent

Incumbents re-elected while NDP votes makes provincial balance of power uncertain
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NDP candidates, for Chilliwack-Kent (left) Patti MacAhonic and for Chilliwack Tracey O’Hara, chat shortly after the polls closed on Tuesday night at O’Hara’s campaign office at Five Corners in downtown Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)

John Martin and Laurie Throness have done it again.

Chilliwack and Chilliwack-Kent will stay in BC Liberal hands with the mantle of government still somewhat uncertain on election night.

As for who forms government, it could come to a judicial recount with a handful of close ridings and a near dead tie as midnight hits on election night.

“It is my intention to continue to lead British Columbia’s government,” Christy Clark said in a speech to supporters just after midnight.

With all 72 polls reporting, Chilliwack went to Martin with 8,641 votes or 48.8 per cent of the vote, compared to NDP candidate Tracey O’Hara’s 5,673 votes or 32 per cent. Green Party’s Wayne Froese got 3,014 votes or 17 per cent, with independent Ryan McKinnon garnering 370.

In Chilliwack-Kent, Laurie Throness won in a larger margin with 53.5 per cent of the vote or 11,257 of the 21,023 ballots cast. The NDP’s Patti MacAhonic received 6,678 votes or 31.8 per cent with Green candidate Josie Bleuer getting 3,088 votes or 14.7 per cent.

As the polls closed around British Columbia on election night, Chilliwack BC Liberal candidate John Martin and Chilliwack-Kent BC Liberal Laurie Throness supporters were at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn.

As for the NDP, Chilliwack candidate O’Hara and Chilliwack-Kent candidate MacAhonic gathered with their teams at O’Hara’s campaign office at Five Corners.

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Liberal candidates Laurie Throness (left) and John Martin congratulate each other on election night at the Best Western. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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Chilliwack-Kent Liberal candidate, Laurie Throness, speaks with media on election night at the Best Western. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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NDP candidates, for Chilliwack-Kent (left) Patti MacAhonic and for Chilliwack Tracey O’Hara, greet a supporter after the polls closed on Tuesday night at O’Hara’s campaign office at Five Corners in downtown Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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(Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)