Thunder Bay-Superior North goes Liberal red with Patty Hajdu

Superior Morning5:08Canada Votes - Thunder Bay Superior North

A big win for the Liberals in Thunder Bay Superior North, as the Patty Hajdu rode the red tide. Green Party MP Bruce Hyer lost his seat.

Thunder Bay-Superior North was caught in the sea of Liberal red, sweeping across Canada on Monday night.

Politicial novice Patty Hajdu was elected, ousting incumbent Bruce Hyer.

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• Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario federal election 2015

Hajdu, who stepped aside from her job as executive director of Shelter House in Thunder Bay, took approximately 45 per cent of the vote in her riding. She admitted she was surprised by the majority vote for the Liberals across the country.  

"I think all of us were. Maybe some of us weren't, but for me, I just really wanted a shot at having a different style of leadership that was based on optimism and inclusion, " she said.

Giving credit to her campaign team for the role they played in helping her win, Hajdu said "I've had young leaders who have stepped up to the plate and done phenomenal things. It's been a joy to watch them grow. I've grown, and we've grown together."

I've worked incredibly hard to get here. Hard work, determination, and a healthy dose of optimism, and here we are," said Hajdu.

Hajdu beat out Green Party deputy leader Bruce Hyer, who crossed the floor to the party since being elected as a New Democrat in 2011.

But Hyer said he was committed to the Greens.

"I didn't join the Green Party expecting to win, I joined the Green Party because they had the right values, and the right message. And, did you notice the other parties are stealing our lines? That's the sincerest form of flattery," he said.

Hyer was philosophical about his loss, and said he felt very lucky.

"I don't lack for things to do. I'll head back to flying float planes, taking people hunting and fishing and canoeing. Have less stress, more pay and more tax writeoffs," said Hyer.

NDP Candidate Andrew Foulds, who took a leave of absence from his role as a Thunder Bay city councillor said he was disappointed, but still feels driven to serve the public.

"I am absolutely not going anywhere. I will continue to represent the constituents of Current River, and I will do the same kind of fight that I had in the last 79 days, and the same kind of fight I've had over the past nine years."

Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey, running for the Conservatives, finished third, ahead of Bruce Hyer.

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