Conservative Armstrong takes N.S. riding
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 | 7:26 AM AT
CBC News
Nova Scotia's newest MP, Scott Armstrong, vows to make infrastructure funds a priority as he regains Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley for the Conservatives.
Armstrong won Monday's federal byelection with nearly 46 per cent of the vote. His nearest rival, NDP candidate Mark Austin, took almost 26 per cent, while Liberal Jim Burrows had just over 21 per cent.
Voter turnout was 35 per cent.
More than 100 supporters were gathered Monday night as Armstrong was piped into a hall in Truro.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm very pleased to announce that the Tories are back in northern Nova Scotia," he said to applause.
The riding, a longtime Tory stronghold, was held by Bill Casey for more than decade. He recaptured it as an Independent in 2008 after being booted out of the Conservative caucus in 2007 for voting against the budget.
Many Conservatives in the crowd said Armstrong's win shows that voters have put the spat between Casey and Prime Minister Stephen Harper behind them.
For his part, Armstrong promises to speak his mind in his new job. However, he said he wants to work with the government, not against it. He said Harper congratulated him Monday night.
Armstrong said his first round of discussions will be with John Baird, federal minister of transport, infrastructure and communities.
"We need to get some of this infrastructure money," said Armstrong.
Ready for rematch
Both Austin and Burrows said they're ready to campaign again if a general election is called.
"The signs are made," said Austin. "And it could happen very quickly. I suspect it will happen shortly after the Olympics when we're in a nationalistic fervour."
Burrows is pleased that the Liberals increased their votes from the last election. The riding was last Liberal in 1993.
"The fact that we did increase it, I think it shows that we have potential in this riding," said Burrows.
The three other candidates — Independent Kate Graves, Christian Heritage Party's Jim Hnatiuk and the Green Party's Jason Blanch — placed well back of the three main parties.
