The B.C. NDP's Grace Lore has been declared the winner of Victoria-Beacon Hill.  

With 16 of 17 polls reporting, preliminary results show Lore with 12,534 votes, followed by B.C. Green Party candidate Sonia Furstenau with 8,914 votes and B.C. Conservative Tim Thielmann with 5,105. 

"I'm incredibly grateful for the support of the voters of Victoria-Beacon Hill," said Lore. "It's been the honour of my lifetime to serve as MLA and I cannot wait to get back to the work that is investing in and supporting people and representing this incredible community."

After the weeks she spent campaigning, Lore said what she is feeling most right now is graciousness.

"Gratitude for the voters ... but also for the incredible group of volunteers," she said. "We had dozens and dozens of volunteers, people who were in the office every day, people who were out in the pouring rain today, and gratitude for my family. No one has given up more than them for this campaign and for the last four years. They've given up a lot for what is a shared family belief that we owe our neighbours the best."

Outgoing cabinet minister Rob Felming had kind words to say about Lore following her win announcement.

"Credit to Grace Lore who has been an MLA for four years and has stepped into one of the toughest ministries in all government, Minister of Children and Family Development, [and has] obviously done a fantastic job and is an excellent MLA," he said.

Furstenau, who leads the B.C. Green Party, announced her loss to Lore at a press conference in Victoria. 

"I'm so proud of the campaign that we ran," she said to a room of supporters.

The battle for control of the B.C. Legislature continues to sway back and forth. Current results show the B.C. NDP leading in 46 ridings, B.C. Conservatives with 45 and B.C. Green holding the lead in two seats. 

Lore was elected in Victoria-Beacon Hill in the 2020 provincial election, after receiving 54.6 per cent of votes. B.C. Green Party and B.C. Liberal candidates Jenn Neilson and Karen Bill followed behind, with 29.9 per cent and 14.4 per cent, respectively. B.C. NDP candidates have won the South Island riding for 28 of the last 33 years. 

More to come.