The Progressive Conservatives have won a provincial byelection in eastern Ontario, retaining a seat previously held by a popular cabinet minister.
The Bay of Quinte provincial byelection today was held just one month after Todd Smith resigned the seat.
Voters have chosen to send Progressive Conservative candidate Tyler Allsopp to represent them in the legislature.
He has captured about 38 per cent of the vote, with most polls reporting, compared to about 33 per cent for Liberal candidate Sean Kelly.
Both candidates are municipal councillors in Belleville.
Smith won four successive elections in the region for the Tories, securing nearly 50 per cent of the vote in the last two elections, but some experts and polls suggested it may be a closer race this time around.
The people of Bay of Quinte have sent a clear message tonight by electing a strong local champion who will fight the Liberal carbon tax and Bonnie Crombie’s plan to raise taxes.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 20, 2024
Congratulations @tylerallsoppPC and welcome to the team! Now let’s get it done. pic.twitter.com/PMhTbRyJ3R