SUMMARY
BC NDP veteran Mike Farnworth will stay as the Port Coquitlam riding MLA after he handily beat his BC Liberal opponent Barbara Lu tonight.
At the Port Coquitlam Legion, Farnworth told supporters he was disappointed the Grits were back in government and he rallied them, vowing to do "the best job I can on behalf of the people in this community."
Lu, a BC Liberal employee, was at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club with fellow Tri-City candidates Doug Horne and Steve Kim. Despite her loss to Farnworth, the youngest contender for the Liberals said she was pleased her party was returned to power.
She said she would consider throwing her hat in the ring again for political office.
-Janis Warren
ELECTION NIGHT LIVE BLOG
10:23 p.m. - At 24, Barbara Lu was the youngest candidate in the province running for the Liberals and up against the NDP's most veteran politicians. She was also the only Liberal candidate in the Tri-Cities to lose. Still, Lu, a BC Liberal employee, was grinning ear to ear as the T.V. screen showed images of her Grit colleagues winning another term in government. "I couldn't have done it without you," she told the crowd at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club, where about 100 people gathered including Canadian Heritage minister James Moore and city councillors. Lu gave special thanks to her husband and her sister, who ran her campaign. "I think I did a great job running for the first time for office." Afterwards, Lu told The Tri-City News she would consider putting her name forward again for political office to represent the party. Asked how she fared on the door step in this campaign against Farnworth, Lu replied: "People were never discouraging, especially because of my young age. They wanted to see me win."
- Janis Warren
10:07 p.m. -With 100% of the vote reported, Farnworth wins Port Coquitlam with 52.09% of the vote. BC Liberal challenger Barbara Lu took 37.31%, while Conservative Party challenger took 6.79%.
-Gary McKenna
9:58 p.m. - Several Port Coquitlam councillors are at the NDP's post-election gathering at the Legion, including Coun. Brad West, who is Farnworth's campaign manager, and Coun. Glenn Pollock, Farnworth's constituency assistants.
-Gary McKenna
9:48 p.m. - Most NDP supporters at NDP post-election headquarters at the PoCo Legion are happy with the local results (Farnworth's win) but disappointed in the provincial results.
-Gary McKenna
9:38 p.m. - NDP MLA Mike Farnworth speaks to his supporters at the PoCo Legion."I hope the results [province-wide] change, but one thing that I know won't change is with the support of you in this room, with the support of the community of Port Coquitlam, I know I am going to go to Victoria and do the best job I can on behalf of the people in this community."
9:35 p.m. -Global News is calling a BC Liberal government.
-Gary McKenna
9:29 p.m. - Mike Farnworth is speaking to his supporters at the PoCo Legion after being declared the winner in Port Coquitlam.
9:11 p.m. - "I expected an NDP win and it doesn't look like one to me," saidVancouver Sun Vaughn Palmer on Global News. "I must admit admit, I am astonished."
9:06 p.m. - When covering an election campaign, it is all about the snacks. The NDP's post-election party has chicken wings, sandwiches and an assortment of cakes.
-Gary McKenna
8:58 p.m. - The PoCo Legion is starting to fill up.Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore has also made an appearance. "I hope people got out and voted," he said.
-Gary McKenna
8:44 p.m. - Coquitlam-Burke Mountain NDP candidate Chris Wilson and Port Coquitlam NDP MLA are expected to come down to the Port Coquitlam Legion (2675 Shaughnessy Street), where the NDP is holding its post-election gathering.
-Gary McKenna
8:10 - My plans to get to the PoCo Legion a half hour early to "make sure I got a seat" may have been a bit of overkill.
-Gary McKenna
8 p.m. - The polls have closed and results are expected shortly. Stay tuned!
-Gary McKenna
7:53 p.m. - The balloons are up, the tables are set and the food is ready. Now all the NDP's post-election party needs is a few people to show up.
-Gary McKenna
7 p.m. - Check this page throughout the night for all the latest provincial election coverage in Port Coquitlam.
-Gary McKenna
