By Chad Klassen

NDP suffers disappointing defeat, Liberals gain support in Kamloops

Oct 20, 2015 | 4:12 PM

From Liberal candidate in Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo on election night to Grade 7 teacher at Aberdeen Elementary the next morning.

Today, less than 24 hours after finishing third in this riding, Steve Powrie was back doing what he loves, teaching.

Election night on Monday was bittersweet for Powrie, a losing battle locally, but a surprise majority Liberal government federally. 

NDP candidate Bill Sundhu spent today cleaning out his campaign office after a disappointing result for the New Democrats. 

In Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, the Liberals and the NDP, the alternative to another Stephen Harper government, ended up splitting the vote exactly, allowing Cathy McLeod to charge right up the middle for the win. 

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Sundhu made a late surge to finish in second with 30.8% of the vote. Powrie ended up in third with 30.5%. McLeod took the seat with 35% of the popular vote.

The tight race, one of the closest across the country, begs the question whether it’s time for proportional representation. Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau has promised a revision to the electoral system.