“I love this province.”
New Brunswick Liberal Leader Susan Holt shouted those words to a crowded ballroom in Fredericton after her party won a convincing majority government.
The 47-year-old Holt is set to become the first woman to be premier of New Brunswick.
The unofficial results show the Liberals with 31 seats. They needed 25 to form a majority. The Progressive Conservatives went into the election with 25 seats but that number dropped to 16. PC Leader Blaine Higgs could not hold his seat in Quispamsis.
Holt was joined on stage by her husband Jon and her three daughters. The Fredericton native had two major themes throughout her campaign healthcare and affordability.
Green Party leader David Coon won his riding in Fredericton but the party will still only have 2 seats.
To find out results in your riding click here.
Liberal Leader and Premier-Elect Susan Holt says the results from tonight’s election show New Brunswickers wanted change. pic.twitter.com/aQH2DsnGYV
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) October 22, 2024
THANK YOU NEW BRUNSWICK ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8iBpPfF6ll
— Susan Holt (@susanholt) October 22, 2024
Congratulations to New Brunswick’s next premier, Susan Holt. We’ve got work ahead to build more homes, protect our official languages, and improve healthcare for New Brunswickers. I’m looking forward to working with you and your Liberal team to make it happen.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 22, 2024
Blaine Higgs was attempting to become the first three-time Premier since Frank McKenna. While Higgs did not immediately resign he told reporters after his concession speech the result will trigger a leadership race and he will make an official announcement on his future in the coming days. Higgs became Premier in 2018 and was highlighted by balancing the budget and reducing the debt. He also had to navigate New Brunswick through covid. In recent years though he saw unrest amongst his caucus with several members stepping away from the party.
Liberals win 3 of 4 ridings in Saint John
The only PC to win a seat in Saint John was Glen Savoie but that result will be the subject of a recount as the margin over Liberal David Alston was 34 votes.
Dr. John Dornan, who was fired as Horizon Health CEO, won the riding of Saint John Portland—Simonds. City councillor David Hickey cruised to a win for the Liberals in Saint John Harbour, while Kate Elman Wilcott knocked off PC candidate Kim Costain in Saint John West-Lancaster.
Liberals sweep Moncton ridings
Team Holt dominated the four ridings in Moncton. Rob McKee was re-elected in Moncton Centre while Tania Sodhi knocked PC cabinet minister Ernie Steeves in Moncton Northwest. Greg Turner, another member of the Higgs’ cabinet lost in Moncton South to Claire Johnson. In Moncton east, Liberal Alexandre Cedric Doucet won by over 2,000 votes.
Charlotte County
The ridings of Saint Croix and Fundy – The Isles – Saint John Lorneville both went to the Progressive Conservatives. Ian Lee and Richard Ames will be two of the 16 members of the opposition.