As an atmospheric river drenched B.C.'s south coast, the votes poured in for the NDPB次元官网网址檚 Lana Popham, who has been re-elected to the Saanich South riding.

Preliminary results show Popham received 14,587 votes out of 29,486 counted votes (49.5 per cent). Adam Kubel of the B.C. Conservatives came in second with 9,652 votes, while B.C. Green's Ned Taylor followed with 5,248 votes. All 26 polls have  reported.

Elected first in 2009 in the Saanich South riding, the win is PophamB次元官网网址檚 fifth.

B次元官网网址淚'm very eager to get back to work,B次元官网网址� said Popham, who added she was grateful to her campaign team for their work, and the people of Saanich South for choosing to re-elect her.

B次元官网网址淒uring an election it's hard to put the stuff you've been working on in your constituency office aside and put people on hold for 28 days,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd now I know that I can get back and start helping people again B次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 really what my priority is.B次元官网网址�

Noting the strong performance of her two opponents, ConservativeB次元官网网址檚 Kubel and the GreenB次元官网网址檚 Taylor, Popham says she has reached out to both to invite them to find a way to work together on issues affecting the riding.

B次元官网网址淭hese are two people who put their names forward,B次元官网网址� said Popham. B次元官网网址淭hey also had votes behind them from the constituents of Saanich South. So I always put the offer out.B次元官网网址�

The NDP currently holds a slim lead in the battle for control of the B.C. Legislature, with the NDP leading in 46 ridings, B.C. Conservatives with 45 and B.C. Green holding the lead in two seats. With the NDP leading in 46 ridings it would need the support of the two Green MLAs to form government.

B次元官网网址淚 think it's too close to tell right now,B次元官网网址� said Popham. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of real nail-biters that are still in that mix, so I don't know what will happen. It feels a little bit like 2017 to me, so we're gonna have to wait and see.B次元官网网址�

Offering his congratulations to Popham was Conservative's Kubel, who came second with 32.73 per cent of the vote. The first-time candidate also thanked Popham for her ongoing service to Saanich South, and applauded the tremendous effort of Green's Taylor. 

"I'm very proud of what my team and I were able to accomplish in this election, and very thankful to Saanich South for showing tremendous support for a political newcomer," said Kubel. "The numbers show there is a desire for change in this community and in this province, and I know all candidates felt that on the doorsteps. I'm grateful to apply this experience in future campaigns, to be a part of a historic election, and to see a needed change in the political landscape of British Columbia."

As the dust settles on his campaign efforts, Kubel is now focusing all his attention on his family, who welcomed a bundle of joy to the fold in October.

"I would also like to welcome my youngest son, who was born during this campaign," said the now father of two. "And give special thanks to my wife Sarah and my family for their unwavering love and support." 

While disappointed by his third-place finish in the riding, the GreenB次元官网网址檚 Taylor said he has given the campaign his all, and was thankful for the support he had received from the community and his team.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just really grateful for all of the time, work and passion put into this campaign by all of our volunteers,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 know that we ran a really good campaign, and I'm proud of that B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 just really grateful for the opportunity, itB次元官网网址檚 been a real honour to run in this election for a community that I've grown up in and IB次元官网网址檓 passionate about.B次元官网网址�

B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau failed to win a seat in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding, losing to NDPB次元官网网址檚 Grace Lore.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really disappointing for our exceptional leader to lose her voice in the legislature,B次元官网网址� said Taylor. B次元官网网址淏ut I know that she's got her head held high. She's done such an incredible job over the past number of years.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 know that she's going to continue to do lots of incredible work,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淎nd it's just an honour to run with her in this campaign.B次元官网网址�

Despite his loss, the only way is up for Taylor, literally, as he now plans to continue his pursuit of a career in aviation, returning to flight training.

B次元官网网址淚'm looking forward to doing other work in the community,B次元官网网址� he added.