Wow, despite the prognostications of some, Tyler Banham came a weak third on the mountain. I was a bit surprised myself. I've never seen so many campaign signs translate into so few votes. Looks like we're witnessing the destruction of the federal Liberal brand in Hamilton.
By Jackson Hayes
The Canadian Press, 2008
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New Democratic Party incumbent Chris Charlton described her win as a “really sweet victory” in a short
acceptance speech before elated supporters.
Charlton successfully defended her Hamilton Mountain riding last night, edging out strong Liberal and Conservative challengers to earn her second term as MP.
Charlton raced ahead with a comfortable 21,768 votes, or 43.6 per cent, with 234 out of 243 polls reporting.
Former city councillor Terry Anderson trailed with 15,360 votes, or 30.8 per cent. Liberal Tyler Banham took third with 10,043 votes, 20.1 per cent, while the Green Party’s Stephen Brotherston took fourth with 2,746.
In her victory speech at Ye Olde Squire Pub on Fennell Avenue, near Wentworth Avenue, Charlton congratulated Anderson for running a clean campaign, and took a shot at Banham, who posted a YouTube video about Charlton’s campaign office closing early.
“You fight your campaign how you think you have to fight your campaign,” Charlton said.
Charlton credited her victory to her hard-working campaign office.
“Our campaign office is an amazing place. I’ve got a terrific staff and I think people across the riding recognize that.”
Unlike the last federal election when support for Charlton south of the Linc was lower, voters both north and south of the Linc threw their support behind her last night.
“When you get the privilege to be in office you have to help people in all parts of the riding,” she said.
The federal Hamilton Mountain seat carries the largest population of any Hamilton riding and was seen by observers to be a three-way race. The seat’s importance was signalled by campaign visits from all three party leaders.
Though many polls had Charlton ahead, there was a feeling last night it could tilt in another direction.
The NDP incumbent had lost two previous federal elections to Liberal Beth Phinney, including a tight 2004 race where 996 votes separated first and second.
Charlton beat Bill Kelly, who replaced the retired Phinney, in 2006 and was hoping for success in her first defence of her seat.
She wasn’t confident of it, however.
“I wasn’t sure at all ... I’m surprised I won at all,” Charlton said in an interview.
In a recent debate, Liberal Banham and Conservative candidate and former Ward 7 councillor Anderson challenged Charlton on how constituents were not served by a party “with no voice” in Ottawa.
Charlton fired back saying under her, the “concerns of Hamiltonians are heard in the House of Commons.”
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