The Progressive Conservatives drew first blood Tuesday night, re-electing Kelvin Goertzen in the Southern Manitoba riding of Steinbach in Manitoba's general election.
The Tories have held the riding continuously since it was created in 1990.
Goertzen took about 80 per cent of the popular vote, with NDP candidate Rawle Squires taking about 10 per cent. The Liberal and Green candidates, Jonathan Thiessen and Janine Gibson, were about even, at five per cent each.
Manitoba Votes 2007 Headlines »
- NDP wins historic 3rd majority in Manitoba
- Manitoba NDP Leader Gary Doer has led his party to a historic third majority government in the province's 39th general election, taking 36 of 57 seats.
- PCs win 19 seats, lose ground from 2003
- The Progressive Conservatives won 19 out of 57 ridings Tuesday — a drop of one seat from 2003.
- Liberals hold 2 seats
- Voters denied the Liberals official party status on Tuesday, although the party held its two existing seats.
- Greens make slight gains
- The Green party's dreams of a breakthrough quickly wilted on Tuesday night.
- 16 cabinet ministers re-elected, one loses nailbiter
- Sixteen members of Premier Gary Doer's former NDP cabinet in Manitoba were re-elected Tuesday, but Trade Minister Scott Smith lost the riding of Brandon West in a squeaker.