N.S. Liberal Leader Zach Churchill loses seat as party support crumbles
Churchill lost in a tight race to Progressive Conservative Nick Hilton
Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Zach Churchill has lost his seat in Yarmouth, underscoring his party's stunning drop in support in Tuesday's provincial election.
Churchill lost in what was a tight race against Progressive Conservative Nick Hilton, who defeated Churchill by just 14 votes once counting was completed Wednesday morning.
The Liberals suffered devastating losses across the province, falling from Official Opposition status to third place behind the NDP.
Speaking to supporters in his riding on Tuesday evening, Churchill took responsibility for the party's fall from grace.
"This loss belongs to me and me alone, and I'm OK with that," said Churchill. "In life, you can lose, and the most important thing is you get back up, and how you get back up."
On Wednesday, Churchill said he would be taking some time to spend with his family, but first he'll meet with the remaining Liberal caucus members "to make a decision on how we move forward to put ourselves in the best position."
"I'm feeling grateful for the time that I had to represent the people in Yarmouth. It's been the honour of my life," he said in an interview in his riding, which he represented for 14 years.
Churchill has been leader of the party since 2022. He also served as a cabinet minister in various portfolios under the Stephen McNeil and Iain Rankin governments, most notably as minister of health and wellness and minister of education.
"I can look back and feel I did what I was supposed to do and to the best of my ability," he said.
Premier Tim Houston handily led the Progressive Conservatives to a second majority government in a row on Tuesday, snatching up a number of seats previously held by the Liberals.
The Tories were elected in 43 ridings, Elections Nova Scotia announced at 5:35 p.m. AT Wednesday. The NDP was elected in nine ridings, while the Liberals were elected in two.
One of only two Liberals elected as of Wednesday morning told CBC Radio's Information Morning Cape Breton he would not rule out a run for the party leadership.
Cape Breton's Derek Mombourquette was in a tight race in Sydney-Membertou and narrowly staved off a challenge from PC candidate Brian MacArthur.
"You know, we're into a big rebuild right now, to be honest about it," the incumbent said early Wednesday before Churchill had lost his seat.
"My job is representing this community first and foremost, but today is about my friend Zach and today I'll talk to him, we'll see what he says and for me, the future, we'll see what happens."
Rankin, the MLA for Timberlea-Prospect and former party leader, was the only other Liberal elected as of Wednesday afternoon. Out-of-district ballots were still being counted in two other ridings where Liberals were running a close second to the PCs.
"We've witnessed the collapse of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party for the time being," said Cape Breton University political scientist Tom Urbaniak.
"There will be a massive rebuilding that will have to take place now."
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With files from CBC Radio's Information Morning Cape Breton
