David Coon hangs on, Greens reduced to 2 seats

The New Brunswick Green Party has been reduced from three to two seats, with the loss of Kent North incumbent Kevin Arseneau.

But it was a jubilant David Coon, leader of the Greens, who spoke to supporters in Fredericton on Monday night.

And while he was unhappy over Arseneau's loss, he said it was time to get back to work and hold the Liberals accountable.

The crowd started cheering and chanting when Coon mentioned PC Leader Blaine Higgs, who lost to Liberal Susan Holt, now the premier-designate.

Coon won his riding of Fredericton-Lincoln with a strong lead of 44.5 per cent of the vote, as of 9:30 p.m. AT. PC candidate Daniel Chippin came second at 28.1 per cent, with Liberal candidate Joni Leger third, at 27.4 per cent.

Megan Mitton handily won her riding of Tantramar, beating Liberal candidate John Higham, a former mayor of Sackville. Mitton was at 48.9 per cent of the vote, as of 9:30 p.m., while Higham was at 25.3 per cent.

Arseneau garnered 37.1 per cent of the vote in his riding, compared to Liberal Pat Finnigan with 44.8 per cent. Finnigan is a former Liberal MP.

"What a surprise tonight," Coon said at his victory speech as he thanked voters in his riding.

"By now we all know Kevin [Arseneau] is not going back to the legislative assembly, and that's a sad and terrible thing for New Brunswick."

The crowd cheered loudly as Coon thanked Arsenau, who was elected in 2018, for his work as MLA.

Coon spoke in English and French, lauding what was the party's only Acadian member, calling him a "real leader" in comments translated from French.

"I know we'll find a role for him and he'll find a role after the election," Coon said in English.

Arseneau and Mitton were unable to be reached by CBC News on election night.

The party failed to make any advances. One of the candidates they felt had a strong chance to win was Serge Brideau in Tracadie, but he came second at 40.8 per cent, as of 10 p.m., compared with Liberal winner and incumbent Keith Chaisson at 53.5 per cent.

Simon Ouellette, who challenged Liberal Leader Susan Holt in Fredericton South-Silverwood, came third at 20.2 per cent, as of 10 p.m., behind PC candidate Nicolle Carlin at 24.7 per cent.

"It's so hard to try and win a seat in this election, and I don't know what to say, it's heartbreaking, I know when you pour your blood and sweat and tears into winning that seat," said Coon.

But the loudest applause came when Coon announced Higgs was no longer premier, as the crowd erupted and started chanting, "Na na na na, goodbye."

Coon said he called Holt to congratulate her.

He said it's his party's responsibilityto push them to make them necessary investments, fix the health-care system and "serve New Brunswickers in the way they need to be served."