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Kamloops News

Early birthday celebration for Lake

Liberal candidate Terry Lake, incumbent for the Kamloops North Thompson riding, celebrates with daughter Gemma as early results show him with a commanding lead.

Surrounded by family, friends and supporters of environment minister and Kamloops North Thompson Liberal candidate Terry Lake was emotional Tuesday night as the results rolled in varying his lead over NDP candidate Kathy Kendall. Lake earned 52 per cent of the vote, more than enough to keep his seat.

Early on, Lake and his daughter Gemma celebrated as many Liberals took leads in ridings across the province, including the North Thompson and by the time it was known Kamloops South Thompson Liberal candidate Todd Stone had earned a seat, the race was looking closer in the north riding.

Campaign manager Emile Scheffel says the tight race was a bit unexpected but was still positive Lake would win his seat. A short while later Kendall conceded her defeat and even made an appearance at Hotel 540 for a quick congratulations to Lake.

As Lake and Stone finished their speeches thanking everyone for their help on the campaign, a chorus of Happy Birthday broke out for Lake, who turns 56 tomorrow. With a bottle in hand, Lake saluted the singers and cheers and clapping broke out all around the room.

Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar is happy to see his friend earn his seat once again and looks forward to keeping up the work already in place for a number of years.

“For me first and foremost the hospital is a priority,” Milobar says. “Terry and Todd have been very clear about that in terms of moving it forward as soon as possible. I want to make sure it's done as soon as possible.”

Lake is glad to see his four years of work pay off.

“I think people realized I'm someone who works hard for them, I earned their trust which is really rewarding to see.”

He is also glad to be able to share his victory with his family.

“The candidate is out front, but they (family) feel it when people say nasty things, they feel it when you're held up in the spotlight, so it's nice for them to share in the victory.”

With all ballot boxes reported, the Kamloops North Thompson riding saw 21,312 votes tallied, up from 19,788 votes in 2009. Kendall earned 39 per cent of the votes while Conservative Ed Klop took seven per cent of the votes. John Ford, not running under any party flag, garnered just under two per cent of the votes with 420. Final voting results will be available after the final count on May 27.

- John Ford, no affiliations - 420 votes, 1.97%

- Kathy Kendall, B.C. NDP - 8,277, 38.84%

- Ed Klop, B.C. Conservative Party - 1,535 votes, 7.2%

- Terry Lake, B.C. Liberal Party - 11,080 votes, 51.99%

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 819-3723.

Kamloops Liberal candidates Todd Stone and Terry Lake celebrate as another Liberal candidate takes a seat elsewhere in the province.
Kamloops Liberal candidates Todd Stone and Terry Lake celebrate as another Liberal candidate takes a seat elsewhere in the province.

Kamloops North Thompson Liberal candidate Terry Lake watches the results closely with wife Lisa.
Kamloops North Thompson Liberal candidate Terry Lake watches the results closely with wife Lisa.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013
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