Prince Edward Island voters elect Progressive Conservative minority
Posted April 23, 2019 5:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CHARLOTTETOWN – Voters in P.E.I. have shed their century-old embrace of the Island’s two-party system by electing a Progressive Conservative minority government.
The electoral verdict brings a dramatic conclusion to a tight electoral race that saw the upstart Green party secure a firm foothold in the legislature for the first time.
Less than three hours after the polls closed the Tories were leading and elected in 12 ridings, the Greens had pulled into second place with nine and the incumbent Liberals, led by Premier Wade MacLauchlan, were in third with five. MacLauchlan failed to win his seat.
Progressive Conservative Leader Dennis King, a former political staffer and consultant, was elected to lead the party only two months ago. He won the riding of Brackley-Hunter River.
The Tory victory represents the latest in a series of gains for right-leaning parties, including wins in Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario, all within the last year.
