Tight race in Regina-Lewvan ends with NDP's Erin Weir victorious

There were more back-and-forths than a tennis match as it came down to the last poll to confirm the slim victory for the NDP’s Erin Weir.

For more than a decade, Saskatchewan’s political map was painted predominantly blue, but now orange has been added to the mix.

Weir believes it was the introduction of Regina’s first urban-only seat that helped clinch victory.

“I see the new boundaries as a clear improvement for our province and for democracy,” he said.

At times during the count, the difference was only 12 votes. Rather than watch it all unfold, Weir went for a swim.

“It is something I like to do every day,” he explained. “I was working really hard right up until 7.30. After that it was clear there was nothing more I could do”.

But with only 143 votes separating Weir with his Tory rival Trent Fraser, a recount could be a possibility.

“That is up to others. People have the right.”

And Weir isn’t surprised by that slim margin.

“We were expecting a close finish. We knew we could win, but we knew we had to work hard to achieve that victory, and that is exactly what we did,” he said.

But while Weir maintains he will be a strong voice for Saskatchewan he won’t do so from the official opposition benches, the NDP is now relegated to third place.

“The party is going to need to look at the election results, do some analysis over the coming days and move forward from that.”