Elvis Loveless broke a Progressive Conservative stronghold on election night in Newfoundland and Labrador, reclaiming the Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune district for the Liberals.
The district had been held by the PC party for the past three terms.
But long-time PC MHA Tracey Perry didn’t seek re-election this time around.
Charlene Walsh was the Tory candidate and although she came close, she wasn’t able to pull off a win.
Loveless defeated Walsh 1,759-1,536.
With a tight race that resulted in a Liberal minority government, Loveless was thrilled to have been able to swing a blue district to red, in his second run in the district.
He ran for the Liberal party in 2007, but lost to Perry.
He told the Central Voice he was humbled by the support of the voters in the district.
“This is something I’ve wanted for a long time, so I’m very pleased (with the outcome), we had a very hard-working team and we delivered,” he said.
Loveless says he knew it would be tough to swing the vote back around.
“It was closer than what people were telling me it was going to be, that’s why we didn’t take our foot off the gas,” he said. “Even though the incumbent wasn’t running… to swing it from a PC stronghold was a big deal, but I think people saw the experience I had and they want that experience put to work for them.”
Loveless comes from a background that has seen him work with former MHA Oliver Langdon and three different premiers.
He says he is looking forward to rolling up his sleeves and working for his constituents.
