Canadians have given Justin Trudeau’s Liberals a minority mandate, winning 157 seats across the country, compared to 121 for the Conservatives.
However, locally, both ridings in Chatham-Kent are staying blue.
Conservative Lianne Rood won just over 49% of the vote in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, and says she’s looking forward to getting down to work.
“I’m so overwhelmed, I’m happy, I’m thankful that the people of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex have put their trust in me to be their next Member of Parliament.” 
Rood says while she’s disappointed the Conservatives couldn’t form the next government, she’s looking forward to working with her new colleagues on Parliament Hill.
Liberal Jesse McCormick, who placed a distant second with slightly more than 25% of the vote, says he’s proud of the campaign he and his competitors ran.
“We’ve conducted ourselves in a way that has helped to focus on what matters most to Canadians, and I think that has been something I hope will be replicated at the national level.”
Conservative Dave Epp has been elected in the neighbouring riding of Chatham-Kent-Leamington, and says he’s committed to bridging the political divide both locally and in Ottawa.
“I’ve committed to listen and learn, I know some of the issues but I don’t know everything. I want to get out there and listen. My goal is to lead and follow, follow what the residents here need for good representation.”
Liberal Katie Omstead, who trailed Epp by over 8500 votes, says she’s proud of the campaign she ran and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
“I knew we had done everything and it was up to voters. We had huge support at the doors, people were so excited. I am very happy that it’s going to be a Liberal government and they can keep moving forward wit ha positive vision for our country.”
Voter turnout was down slightly this time around, compared to the 2015 election. Nationally, just shy of 66% took to the polls this year, compared to 68.5 during the last federal vote.
Locally in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, 65.6% of voters cast their ballots, and the Chatham-Kent-Leamington numbers were just over 62%.
