How the end of Alberta's PC dynasty played out on Twitter
A dramatic night in Alberta politics played out into a busy night on social media.
The feed for the main election hashtag #abvote was practically spinning as the results came in.
People could not believe that Albertans had finally ended 44 consecutive years of Progressive Conservative governments and that NDP leader Rachel Notley would become Alberta's next premier.
The Calgary Herald's Don Braid, the dean of Alberta political columnists, expressed his disbelief on Twitter:
After covering 11 Alberta elections my brain is in a state of sclerosis. I still can’t believe it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ableg?src=hash">#ableg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a>
—@DonBraidFormer Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, who crossed to the PCs last year and then lost the nomination in Highwood, weighed in on the result.
The NDP surge would have happened regardless of anything I did folks. This is why I said conservatives needed to reunite. I wasn't joking.
—@ABDanielleSmithThe NDP won all 19 ridings in Edmonton meaning some long-serving MLAs like Gene Zwozdesky, Janice Sarich and Thomas Lukaszuk lost their seats. Lukaszuk, a cabinet minister and deputy premier under Alison Redford who ran for the PC leadership last year, took to Twitter after his loss.
The best is yet to come... I'm disappointed, but energized... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a>
—@LukaszukMLAOthers were less gracious.
Congrats to Shaye Anderson. Get ready for 16 Hr days as MLA For Leduc Beaumont . This is my final post on Twitter
—@RogersofleducAfter an NDP majority was declared, politicians close to home and from across the country weighed in.
The mayors of Calgary and Edmonton sent their congratulations to Notley.
2/2 Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelNotley">@RachelNotley</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/albertaNDP">@albertaNDP</a> on your new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ableg?src=hash">#ableg</a> mandate; here's to building stronger AB cities together. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yegcc?src=hash">#yegcc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abgov?src=hash">#abgov</a>
—@donivesonI think it's now safe to say congratulations to Premier-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelNotley">@RachelNotley</a> and her team! What an election!
—@nenshiNotley also received congratulations from provincial and federal politicians
Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelNotley">@RachelNotley</a> and the Alta NDP on winning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a>
—@PremierBradWallCongratulations on your historic victory, <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelNotley">@RachelNotley</a>. Inspired by the hopeful, optimistic campaign you ran. <a href="http://t.co/9c00TXMAYZ">pic.twitter.com/9c00TXMAYZ</a>
—@ThomasMulcairIn his concession speech, JIm Prentice resigned as PC party leader and as the MLA for Calgary-Foothills. The fact Prentice resigned his seat even while the votes were being counted did not go unnoticed on Twitter.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/JimPrentice">@jimprentice</a> takes his mirror and goes home. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a>
—@charlesrusnellCalgary-Foothills will be going back to the polls for the third time in a year. PCs wasting money one last time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a>
—@mikesbloggityNotley thanked people for electing her.
Thank you, Albertans, for putting your trust in our party. We made a little history tonight! <a href="http://t.co/LD76QX1B5R">http://t.co/LD76QX1B5R</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abndp?src=hash">#abndp</a>
—@RachelNotleyBut others were unhappy that Albertans elected a left-leaning government that may not be as favourable towards the oil industry as the PCs.
Well Alberta, this is all I gotta say. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ymm?src=hash">#ymm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abvote?src=hash">#abvote</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ndp?src=hash">#ndp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wildrose?src=hash">#wildrose</a> <a href="http://t.co/qb94gkZTeQ">pic.twitter.com/qb94gkZTeQ</a>
—@kafarwell