The Progressive Conservatives won 19 out of 57 ridings Tuesday — a drop of one seat from 2003.
It's a disheartening result for a party that had been neck and neck with the NDP in public opinion polls until recently.
PC Leader Hugh McFadyen saluted Premier Gary Doer's political skills while conceding his loss on Tuesday.
(CBC)
"Manitobans were clearly not looking for change today," PC Leader Hugh McFadyen said in his concession speech. "We're very disappointed, obviously."
The party's share of the popular vote was 38 per cent, compared to 48 per cent for the NDP, which finished the night with a historic 36 seats and a third majority.
As the first poll results came in, the PCs were trailing the New Democrats and the trend didn't change throughout the night.
The vote follows a month of energetic campaigning by party leader Hugh McFadyen, who talked about corporate tax cuts and a one percentage point cut to the provincial sales tax.
McFadyen pledged to build a 300-cell prison that could focus on offenders with addictions.
PC talk about bringing the Winnipeg Jets hockey team back to the city was scoffed at by the New Democrats, pundits and radio talk-show callers.
In conceding the loss, McFadyen said it was a tough campaign and paid tribute to the political skills of Premier Gary Doer.
"The voters are right, always," McFadyen said.
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.