DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - The Peace Region will remain solidly blue at the legislature after B.C. Conservative candidates posted convincing victories in both Peace River North and Peace River South on election night.
In Peace River South, B.C. Conservative candidate Larry Neufeld earned 5,709 votes, defeating his challengers by a margin of nearly 4,700 votes.
Marsha Rose Dufresne, who ran as the NDP candidate received 1,057 votes, while Helen Scott who was affiliated with OneBC collected 511 votes.
Three of five advance voting ballot boxes and all 38 final voting-day ballot boxes had been reported when the results were posted.
For Neufeld, the win marks a significant milestone as he secures a second consecutive term representing Peace River South.
His 78.4 per cent share of the vote and margin of victory underscore the riding’s continued strong support for the Conservatives.
In neighbouring Peace River North, BC Conservative newcomer Curtis Whitford cruised to victory with 8,812 votes, accounting for an overwhelming 85.8 per cent of ballots cast in the northeastern riding.
Incumbent Jordan Kealy ran as an independent after quitting the BC Conservative party.
Kealy who is facing a sexual assault charge finished far back with 1,463 votes, giving Whitford a margin of more than 7,400 votes.
Elections BC reported 56 of 60 final voting-day ballot boxes and all six advance voting ballot boxes had been reported, although the results remained unverified.
The results mirror a broader trend across rural northern British Columbia, where Conservative candidates continued to perform strongly on election night.
In the Peace Region, voters delivered decisive mandates, ensuring both local ridings will continue to be represented by B.C. Conservative MLAs in Victoria.
Elections BC noted the figures were preliminary and not yet verified as vote counting continues.