Cariboo-Prince George MP-elect Todd Doherty gives victory speech. Photo 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – The two Prince George federal ridings will again be represented by MPs from the Conservative Party.  However, in contrast to the last parliament, this time our representatives will be sitting on the opposition instead of the government benches.

Following a close vote count that took about three hours to complete, Todd Doherty came out victorious in Cariboo-Prince George.  In a quick media scrum prior to meeting with supporters at the Coast Inn of the North, Doherty said “I’m so excited, so honoured to be able to say I’m the next Member of Parliament.”

He says his victory came about through “hearts and minds.  We travelled the road, we met with people where they wanted us to meet and we were on the doorstep.  Hearts and minds.”  Asked about the defeat of Stephen Harper as Prime Minister Doherty said “it really hasn’t sunk in yet.  Obviously I think the world of the man and respect him and would have loved to have worked with him.”

In his victory speech Doherty thanked all of the candidates and their families, saying “this (campaigning) is not an easy job.  The longest job interview I’ve ever had, and regardless of whether you did it for a year or did it for a few weeks or you did it for eleven weeks or twelve weeks, putting your name forward is a brave thing to do.”  He says “it takes a toll on your family, a toll on your friends, the media is not always the nicest.”  He also thanked his volunteers and supporters for the work they did on his campaign.

The incoming MP says the people he spoke with during the campaign talked about jobs, uncertainty, losing families, having a voice “and I’m telling you today that we will focus on building trust and respect and building partnerships.  And together we will face down our challenges, and we will work every day to make sure that your voice is heard and that you never have that feeling again.” “I’ll stand beside you every day, not just when I need your vote, and I will never, ever forget who sent me to Ottawa.”

Filled with emotion Doherty thanked his wife Kelly and his family “for being by my side since day one.”  “Without you I would not be the man I am today and I’m thankful for all you’ve done and that you continue to do.”

Doherty says the Conservative Party has some big challenges ahead such as dealing with a leadership question.  However he says “we will hold the Liberals accountable, we will make sure that we are delivering the voice of the Cariboo to Ottawa every day.”

Incumbent Bob Zimmer had a much easier time chalking up a sizeable victory in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, and he addressed the Prince George audience via Skype from his campaign headquarters in Fort St. John.  He thanked his wife and family and his campaign workers for their work.  “They’ve been in the trenchers with me, mom’s been the campaign manager for Fort St. John and managed the office.”

Zimmer says there is work to do to ensure “a strong showing next time, but from the bottom of my heart and my family’s heart I have a job again and I want to thank you all for that.”

He also says the opposition will be holding the Liberal majority government accountable for the next four years.  “You promised not to re-instate the Long Gun Registry, we’re going to hold you to that promise.  There’s a couple of other things we need to do in opposition to make sure the Liberals stay on the straight and narrow, and we’re going to do that.”