9:06 p.m. It’s a tight three-way race with just 2 of 78 ballot boxes reporting
David Calder BC Liberal Party 121 – 28.81%
Andrew Paul McLean Libertarian 3 – 0.71%
Mark Neufeld BC Green Party 144 – 34.29%
Richard Percival Pattee The Vancouver Island Party 0 0.00%
Lana Popham BC NDP 152 – 36.19%
Travis Paterson: Live from David Calder’s election night party at the Beach House at 8:30 p.m.
It’s the third election for Saanich South liberal campaign manager Debbie MacLean. The veteran guided former Olympian David Calder through his first foray into politics up to tonight.
“Calder is a wonderful man, I didn’t know him and I’ve had a wonderful time,” MacLean said.
In 1995 MacLean was part of former Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard’s liberal campaign and was part of Susan Brice’s successful run in 2001, then again in 2005.
“Every election in Saanich South has been within 500 votes, this is a historically close riding,” MacLean said.
For Calder, it’s been a learning experience.
“I know so much more now about the community and what people care about,” Calder said.
More to come.