Pearl Calahasen has been re-elected as the MLA for Lesser Slave Lake by a wide margin, with nearly 65 per cent of the votes cast in her favour after 54 of 60 polls have been counted.
The candidate joined her supporters at her campaign headquarters in Slave Lake Monday night to await the election results.
Volunteers cheered as early poll results were called in showing that Calahasen had a strong lead in the riding. There was an atmosphere of victory celebration from the moment the polls closed, and when television newscasters announced a predicted PC majority government, the news almost passed without notice at Calahasen’s headquarters.
At 9:11 p.m., campaign manager Gerry Allery announced that Calahasen’s victory had been called by CTV.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight and all the volunteers who were here,” Calahasen told supporters.
She also thanked her husband, daughter, and family for supporter her during her 28 days on the campaign trail.
“I look forward to working with the people of Lesser Slave Lake, and I know that my new area will know that I’m a available for them and I look forward to working with everyone in the whole constituency,” Calahasen said.
If there was anything to dampen spirits a little, it was perhaps the low voter turnout. Prior to official results being released, it appears that just over 5,000 votes were cast in the riding.
“I think the voter turnout should have been a little higher knowing all the work she’s been doing. I think most of the candidates weren’t well known in the community and most of the people just recognized one name on the ballot and that’s why the vote was low,” said one campaign volunteer.

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