Early reaction:
Richmond-Steveston hopeful John Yap says of his early lead that he's "feeling nervously optimistic. It's positive, looking good, but it's early on."
According to the Richmond News’ Philip Raphael, the BC Liberals’ Richmond-North Centre hopeful Teresa Wat is expected to be at the River Rock Casino Resort by 8:30 p.m. and is expecting to “make some remarks” by 9 - 9:30 p.m. Wat is chasing her second term as a Richmond MLA.
Meanwhile, her BC Liberals’ colleague and veteran Linda Reid, going after her seventh term – this time in the re-jigged Richmond-South Centre riding – is expected to appear at her campaign office by 8 p.m.
Prior to the polls closing Tuesday night, Reid was in a buoyant mood - quietly confident her long streak of being an elected MLA since 1991 would likely not be broken, although she did quickly add she never takes any election campaign for granted.
But she could not be faulted for being optimistic about her chances. She's never tasted defeat as an individual, but spent a decade on the opposition's side of the legislature.
"I am certainly aware that my team has worked incredibly hard. They have worked to earn every single vote in this campaign," she said.
Asked if she felt the stature of NDP candidate Chak Au as a city councillor carried more weight than candidates in past votes, Reid said she recalled knocking out former B.C. Premier Bill Vanderzalm in her first time on the ballot paper back in 1991.
"How soon we forget," Reid quipped. "Back in the day, Social Credit was a pretty formidable opponent."
