A Coquitlam city councillor will make the jump to provincial politics while an 18-year political veteran bows out after Port Moody-Coquitlam voters chose BC Liberal candidate Linda Reimer to be their new MLA.
"I am deeply honoured by the faith the voters in this constituency placed in me," said Reimer, who will soon be joining her victorious colleagues in B.C.'s capital city.
Reimer's riding was one of two northeast ridings that turned Liberal blue while the NDP's apparent Orange Crush lead in the polls dissolved into what some are calling an "Orange Crash."
The NDP flag-carrier, Joe Trasolini, narrowly lost to Reimer after a year in the job in the typically BC Liberal-held riding, once the stronghold of Premier Christy Clark when she was an MLA and cabinet minister under Gordon Campbell.
Reimer, a former banker, school district parent representative and mother of two grown sons is excited about the change her new lifestyle will bring and pledges to make sure hassles due to Evergreen Line construction are kept to a minimum.
Reimer said it will be a steep learning curve getting to know the political scene in Victoria and said she's looking into the possibility of retaining her civic seat in Coquitlam if it will prevent a by-election (see related story).
She credited a strong team, including her youthful volunteers, a credible field of provincial candidates and a campaign that "went like clockwork" for her win.
Trasolini, meanwhile, was philosophical about his loss Tuesday, saying he accepted the voters' decision and was going to take some time to reflect on his options for the future.
"I am here enjoying life. I have been a businessman," Trasolini said.
This is the first electoral loss for the former Port Moody mayor, who was in politics 18 years mostly at the civic level. He said he is not yet ready to retire and wants to do something "useful."
At his campaign headquarters Tuesday, the atmosphere was subdued as supporters watched the polling results. Trasolini speculated that low voter turnout and a surge in Green Party vote may have hurt the NDP.
THE RESULTS
Linda Reimer 8,915 (46.85%)
Joe Trasolini 8,372 (44%)
Billie Helps 1,527 (8%)
Jeff Monds 325 (1.62%)
