The Saskatchewan Party won an overwhelming majority in Monday’s provincial election after claiming over 60 per cent of the popular vote late on election night.
While some votes are still waiting to be tallied due to a large amount of mail-in ballots because of COVID-19, many Sask. Party candidates were able to celebrate their success.
Christine Tell, who most recently served as the minister of corrections and policing, learned soon after the polls closed on Monday night that she had been re-elected for a fourth term as the representative of Regina Wascana Plains. Cheers from Tell and others with the party could be heard at the Sask. Party’s Regina headquarters once results began pouring in.
Regina Rochdale candidate Laura Ross joined Tell minutes later, and while it took a bit longer than expected to learn the results from the constituency of Regina Gardiner Park, Gene Makowsky eventually learned he was re-elected, too.
Makowsky is returning for a third straight term after claiming over 60 per cent of votes from Regina Gardiner Park reporting from 48 of 49 polls. He said it’s an honour to be the representative for his constituency.
“You work very hard for a long time to earn your seat,” answered Makowsky while he reflected on his campaign. “There were lots of great volunteers and people who gave up so many hours. So it feels good.”
Gene Makowsky, Sask. Party nominee for Regina Gardiner Park, speaks to reporters following his victory in the 2020 provincial election. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)
Makowsky served as the minister of parks, culture and sport, minister of Tourism Saskatchewan and minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Gaming and Liquor Authority before the election. While he was focused on soaking in his victory, he seemed eager to get back to work and provide a voice for his constituents.
One of the reoccurring topics he heard from voters on the campaign trail involved concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s certainly something we are going to have to deal with here as we go along,” he added. “But I think the folks think our government is in the best position to get us through this.”
There will also be some fresh faces at the legislative building representing the Sask. Party.
It was a night to remember for the Sask. Party’s Regina Northeast nominee Gary Grewal and Regina Walsh Acres candidate Derek Meyers who both were victorious in their areas.
After falling short in the 2018 by-election to NDP candidate Yens Pedersen, Grewal won the seat back for the Sask. Party after taking over 50 per cent of the vote in his constituency. He was ecstatic to see voters have confidence in him and his party.
The Sask. Party triumphed in rural Saskatchewan as many experts predicted over the last few weeks leading up to Election Day, however there are some urban battlegrounds that have yet to declare a winner. Three of them are in Regina.
As of Monday night, winners have not yet been confirmed for Regina Coronation Park (Mark Docherty), Regina University (Tina Beaudry-Mellor) and Regina Pasqua (Muhammad Fiaz).
NDP proud of campaign despite defeat
The feeling at the Regina NDP headquarters on election night was one of disappointment, but also of optimism, as the Sask. Party claimed their fourth straight majority government.
While many races are still too close to call, some NDP candidates were named as the winners of their respective ridings. One of those candidates was first-time MLA Meara Conway, who was elected in Regina Elphinstone-Centre.
Conway says she’s excited for what she’ll bring to her first term.
“I’m bringing courage and conviction, I hope, and a sense of fight for sure,” said Conway. “I’m a legal aid lawyer, I serve a lot of folks in that community, and that was my job day in and day out. I’m excited to take my fight from the courts to the legislature.”
Nicole Sarauer, NDP candidate for Regina Douglas Park, reflects on her election victory on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. (Photo: Josh Sigurdson/620 CKRM)
One of the re-elected NDP MLA’s was Regina Douglas Park’s Nicole Sarauer.
Sarauer, one of three women elected in Regina Monday, says with other women locked in close races around the province, it’s amazing to see a shift towards more women in politics.
“It’s really exciting, I think it shows that women, and younger women in particular, can absolutely do this job, can absolutely get elected, and can succeed,” said Sarauer. “I hope that it encourages other younger women to consider this as a career choice.”
Sarauer, the acting Deputy Leader of the NDP, says despite the disappointing result, she is happy with the campaign the party ran.
“I’m really proud of the campaign that we ran,” said Sarauer. “I’m really proud of Ryan’s vision that he put forward, and we’re just going to keep working.
Due to the record number of mail-in ballots, some battleground ridings like Regina University and Saskatoon University have yet to be decided.
The NDP are hoping some of those close races shift in their direction.
(With files from Josh Sigurdson and Moises Canales)
