Saskatchewan NDP leader Cam Broten loses his seat

It was a tight race in the SaskatoonWestviewriding where NDP leaderCamBrotenwaited to learn whether he'd win his seat. In the end, the constituency went to the Saskatchewan Party by 232 votes.

The winner was David Buckingham, who received 49.2 percent of the vote whileBrotenfollowed closely at 46.3 per cent. The win was not announced until almost 11:30 p.m. CST.

The election was a disappointment for both Broten and his party, which won only 10 seats.

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Cam Broten speech at NDP headquarters

9 years ago

Duration 3:34

Cam Broten spoke to supporters at NDP headquarters in Saskatoon

Addressing a room packed with supporters in Saskatoon at the NDP headquarters for election night,Brotensaid "This isn't quite the night we were hoping for."

"This is not the results that so many of us worked so hard for.But in a democracy the election belongs to the voters."

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Buckingham was not considered a star candidate for the SaskatchewanParty. He previously was the mayor of the Village of Borden for two terms and acouncillorfor one. He moved to Saskatoon in 1979 to pursue a career in the car hauling business as a commercial driver, according to the party website.

Earlier in the night,Premier Brad Wall congratulatedBrotenon his campaign. He also mentioned thatBrotencalled him and told him to go ahead with his victory speech whileBrotenwaited for the results on his own constituency.

"He has called and graciously congratulated us on our win and I want to congratulate him on his campaign and thank him and all his candidates," Wall said.

It was a tense scene at NDP headquarters in Saskatoon at theBessboroughHotel where people watched for the results in the leader's riding.

This was the first election for the party leader. Brotentook the job after narrowly beating RyanMeiliin a leadership race in 2013.Brotenwon by a margin of just 44 votes.

"I know CamBrotenwell and nobody works harder,"Meilisaid at NDPheadquarters on Monday night.

"He's been up against a difficult battle. The Brad Wall machine is not an easy one to overcome."

Meilisaid there were some positive stories in the election, but he had hoped to see more progress for the party. He said that in the future he would like to see the party focus less on the ruling party`smistakes and look towards the future of the NDP.

SaskatoonRiversdaleNDP MLA DanielleChartieralso said thatBrotenhas worked extremely hard as party leader.

"Cam has been a wonderful leader," she said.

Whether Broten will maintain his position as party leader has not been announced.