Conservative Health Minister Brad Green was gracious in defeat Monday as he conceded his Fredericton-Silverwood riding to his relatively unknown Liberal opponent, Rick Miles.
Fredericton-Silverwood was seen as a relatively safe seat for the Tories, with the high-profile Green serving as Conservative Leader Bernard Lord's right hand in government in several high-profile cabinet portfolios.
Green was elected in the Tory sweep of 1999, and defeated his opponents in the 2003 election by a comfortable margin. He has served as justice minister, deputy premier and most recently health minister. His loss could be seen as an indication of voter displeasure with the Conservative government as a whole.
Miles is general manager of a paving company and is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
He graduated from the Moncton Flight College in 2003, and defeated the Tory veteran in his first run at political office.
The rookie candidate said he wasn't intimidated facing the higher-profile Green. "At the doors, when I knocked on the doors, they told me they were ready for a change," Miles said Monday evening. "I had a really good feeling going into tonight."
Green visited Miles's campaign headquarters on election night and was gracious in defeat.
One of just two cabinet minister who lost their seats Monday night, Green told Miles that he would be "of assistance, if I can be, with the on-going issues and files in the city" during the transition to a Liberal government.
The other Tory minister to be defeated was Brenda Fowlie, the Quispamsis MLA who held the energy portfolio. She was toppled by Liberal Mary Schreyer, who took 51 per cent of popular vote.
Other Fredericton-area ridings were also awash in Liberal red. Incumbents Kelly Lamrock and T.J. Burke were re-elected, and former Liberal cabinet minister Greg Byrne made a successful comeback in the new riding of Fredericton-Lincoln.
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| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIB | 29 | 0 | 29 | 47.10% |
| PC | 26 | 0 | 26 | 47.50% |
| NDP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.10% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .20% |
| Last Update:September 19, 1:13:13 AM ADT | ||||