The first time was the charm for Progressive Conservative candidate Trevor Jones in the riding of Chatham-Kent-Leamington.
Jones beat incumbent Rick Nicholls, who ran for the Ontario Party, by roughly 12,000 votes. Nicholls was kicked out of the PC caucus for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Nicholls finished in third place in the voting and NDP candidate Brock McGregor ended in second, just over 6,300 votes behind Jones.
Rhonda Jubenville of the New Blue Party wound up in fourth with just over 1,400 votes in total and Jennifer Surerus of the Green Party came last with just over 1,200 ballots cast for her.
New MPP Jones said he won't just toe the party line and promises to be a strong voice for the riding.
"I'm accountable to our constituents, I'm accountable to the voters who sent me to Queen's Park, and my voice for Chatham-Kent-Leamington will stay true. Obviously, we have to respect our team and respect our Captain and respect the greater good for the benefit of the entire province," said Jones.
Jones said there's always doubt about winning an election, but felt he could win if the team concentrated on the finish line.
"We stayed positive, we stayed focused and we're resilient. It's been an outpouring [of love] and I feel that Chatham-Kent-Leamington has adopted me as their son and their messenger to the province," Jones said.
Rick Nicholls on June 2, 2022. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Former MPP Nicholls said the loss is bittersweet, but he doesn't have any regrets and is thankful for the time he had representing the riding at Queen's Park.
"I mean, I'm saddened that the people of Chatham-Kent-Leamington didn't reelect me for a fourth term, but I'm grateful that they reelected me for three terms. I think that's the important thing and that's what I will focus on," said Nicholls.
Almost 86,500 registered voters cast their ballots across the 92 polls in the riding, according to Elections Ontario, which represents 42.23 per cent voter turnout.
- with files from Paul Pedro