Lucky number seven: Warkentin projected winner in Grande Prairie

Incumbent Conservative MP for Grande Prairie Chris Warkentin is projected to win back his seat for the seventh consecutive time.

As of 6 a.m. on April 29th, Warkentin had received 47,472 votes, an overwhelming 81.2 per cent of the vote, with 227 of 228 polling stations reporting. 

Warkentin has held the Peace Country seat in its several forms for nearly two decades after first assuming office in 2006, and says he is grateful to represent Grande Prairie in Ottawa for another term. 

“My continued commitment will be making sure that people in the Peace Country have economic opportunities- ones that have been challenging over the last number of years with a Liberal government that has been intent on shutting down the industries that are so important to folks in the Peace Country,” he says. “I’m looking forward to going back to Ottawa and fighting for Peace Country residents.” 

Several outlets are calling a minority Liberal government- which Warkentin says will lead to increased disconnection between Ottawa and Alberta, especially in the Northwest. 

“Unless we continue to fight for the values of hard work, of freedom, of opportunity and prosperity that are embodied in the Peace Country- I believe that this current government, the Liberal government, will destroy those values permanently,” he says.

Following his projected victory, Warkentin took a moment to thank all of his supporters, and promised to fight for Peace Country residents, Conservative or otherwise.

As of 6:00 a.m. on April 29th, the votes are as follows: 

Conservative- Chris Warkentin: 47,472 votes- 81.2 per cent

Liberal- Maureen McLeod: 6,974 votes- 11.3 per cent

New Democratic Party- Jennifer Villebrun: 2,545 votes- 4.4 per cent

Peoples Party- Shawn McLean: 828 votes- 1.4 per cent

Rhino- Donovan Eckstrom: 311 votes- 0.5 per cent

Independent- Elliot McDavid: 236 votes- 0.4 per cent