The votes are in, and United Conservative incumbent RJ Sigurdson will return to the legislature for a second term as Highwood MLA.
Sigurdson received 17,992 votes, capturing 69 per cent of the vote in Monday's provincial election to easily retain the seat.
“I’m heart-warmed and honoured to have the support of Highwood,” he said.
NDP challenger Jessica Hallam received 7,553 votes for a 29 per cent share, while Wildrose Independence Party candidate Mike Lorusso placed a distant third with 579 votes for just two per cent.
Sigurdson gathered with friends and supporters at The George in Okotoks to watch election results come in on Monday night.
The riding was called in his favour shortly before 10 p.m. to an eruption of cheers and applause.
In a short victory speech, he said those in attendance voted for their community and for moving forward.
"They chose a pathway for the future of Alberta, for the future of all our children," Sigurdson told the crowd.
“(The) trust you place in me to be your voice in Edmonton means a lot to me.”
"I love this community," he said. "I will always do everything I can to make sure that I represent Highwood and everybody here, and make sure that everybody is heard, is loved."
He acknowledged voters, donors and campaign volunteers who helped him along the way.
“You are the lifeblood of the conservative movement,” he said. “I get to be your voice, but you truly are the heart that beats.”
Following the speech, Sigurdson said he is ready to get to work as he enters his second term as MLA.
“I feel that I'm ready to hit the ground running,” he said. “We still have a lot to do in the province.”
He thanked the two candidates who ran against him.
“It takes a lot to step up in the political world and be able to stand up for your community.”
After tight races in many ridings, the United Conservatives landed 49 seats to form a majority government in the 87-seat legislature, although the party gave up 14 seats it had previously held.
The NDP made gains in Highwood and across the province, but came up short on election night.
Hallam received the highest ever vote total for the party in Highwood.
She congratulated Sigurdson and his campaign team in a Twitter post Monday night and said she appreciated the respectful race in Highwood.
In an election night speech, Hallam said she was proud of what the NDP accomplished in the riding.
“We challenged assumptions, we presented a real option,” Hallam said.
The result brings balance to Highwood, she said, and tells those in power that they can’t take the riding for granted.
“They need to start paying attention, they need to start listening to Highwood.”
The NDP will form the largest-ever opposition in Alberta history with 38 seats.
Across the province, the unofficial voter turnout was about 62 per cent, slightly lower than in 2019. That year, 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, making it the highest voter turnout in a provincial election since 1971.
Sigurdson recorded 73 per cent of the vote in Highwood in 2019, compared to 18 per cent for NDP candidate Erik Overland.
Official election results will be posted by Elections Alberta on June 8.
A recount is expected in Calgary-Acadia after results show the NDP’s candidate ahead of the UCP candidate by only seven votes, and Jennifer Johnson, who won her seat in Lacombe-Ponoka, will not sit in the UCP caucus after making remarks disparaging transgender youth.
