Winning Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke provincial election candidate Billy Denault, left, is congratulated by retiring MPP John Yakabuski. (Emma Butler photo)
As Doug Ford’s Conservatives swept to power in a third-consecutive majority provincial government Thursday night, the local riding’s PC candidate Billy Denault enjoyed his own convincing win with more than 50 per cent of the vote.
Liberal Oliver Jacob was second with 22.1 per cent.
Celebrating at a gathering in Pembroke with family, friends and supporters who included in long-time retiring Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakbuski, Denault indicated he’s ready to get to work.
The wins were confirmed quite quickly after the polls closed at 9 p.m. Here’s the unofficial look at how the votes broke down:
Progressive Conservative Billy Denault: 54.8% – 24,297 votes
Liberal Oliver Jacob: 22.1% – 9,804
NDP Marshall Buchanan: 14.9% – 6,607 votes
Ontario Party: 3.6% – 1,587
Green Party Anna Maria Dolan: 2.5% – 1,123 votes
New Blue Party: 2% – 893 votes
Voter turnout in the riding was 49.58%, up from 46.38% in 2022. Provincially, 45% of eligible voters cast ballots compared to 44% in 2022.
(Sherry Haaima)