NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
NDP candidate Gwendoline Dirk embraces a supporter following Tuesday's Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection results.
kking@medicinehatnews.com
It was smiles all around at the NDP’s Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection after party, with candidate Gwendoline Dirk calling the election a ‘success’ despite losing to UCP candidate and Premier Danielle Smith.
“I may not have a seat in the legislature (but) this has been a solid victory,” Dirk said to an enthusiastic crowd of campaigners Tuesday night. “The amount of support that we have received is incredible. (And) I am more confident than ever.”
Dirk came in with 26.7 per cent of the total vote (3,393 votes); compared to Smith’s 54.5 per cent (6,923 votes), with the majority of Dirk’s support coming from Medicine Hat and Redcliff.
“It is historical,” said Dirk of the final counts. “In the last election, the NDP in this entire riding didn’t win a single poll. (Tonight) we increased our voter success by 56 per cent. So in terms of the numbers that came in tonight, it was an absolute win for us. We’re very ecstatic.”
Having already announced her intention to run for the seat again in the May 2023 election, Dirk said Tuesday’s results simply confirm her decision.
“Win or lose this election, I always intended to continue in May,” she said. “But now I am more excited and thrilled than ever. I know now I can see where we have to concentrate our efforts (and) where I need to meet more people.”
A relative newcomer to the realm of politics, Dirk concentrated much of her campaigning within Medicine Hat for this election, but says she plans to expand to Brooks and rural areas ahead of the upcoming general election.
“We will sit down, we will strategize and we will continue to engage with voters,” she said. “Because it seems when people talk to us, and when people actually have an opportunity to listen to our message and move away from that conspiracy theory and false information, they want to be part of our movement, and they see our vision.”
Dirk took several jabs at Smith throughout the evening, but did encourage her as she moves into her new position as MLA; asking she visit the region often to speak with her constituents to develop her understanding of local issues.
“I think this would be a great opportunity for her to, (as) our MLA, for her to make a point of being in Medicine Hat and Brooks whenever she’s not in the legislature,” said Dirk. “So, she needs to rent a place here, or if she wants to buy a house, I have great realtor I can refer her to.
“If she really cares about this riding, she needs to come here and be here and be part of the riding. Because otherwise, I will be here. I will be talking to people, I will continue to work with people and I will continue to hear their concerns.”
