(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
May 15, 2013 - 12:01 AM
She didn't win. Her party didn't win. But it was still a party.
NDP Kamloops-North Thompson candidate Kathy Kendall watched the B.C. election results unfold at a popular pub in her constituency, the Rock'n Firkin Pub and Grill, with a full room and more than enough food and drinks to go around.
The 'relaxed' setting fit after her loss to Liberal Terry Lake.
Prior to the results, she said it would be a close call. It was Kendall's first stab at politics while Lake has had extensive experience as MLA, Environment Minister and at a local level as mayor of Kamloops.
While admitting she was not as experienced as Lake, Kendall spent the lead up on election day knocking on doors in hopes of tipping the scales in her favour.
Despite her efforts Lake was re-elected with 10,845 votes - 52 per cent to Kendall's 39 per cent (8,044 votes).
Kamloops resident of seven years, Nigel Biro, who came out to support Kendall and the NDP, was disappointed by the results. He said he liked Lake at the municipal level but hasn't since his move to provincial politics.
"It is what it is," he said.
Kendall went to Hotel 540 to congratulate Lake after a concession speech.
"The voters have made a choice and it's not for me to say why that happened," Kendall said.
She said her party believed they could make a change for the better in B.C.
"I still believe that," she said.
To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 319-7494.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013