The votes are in, and United Conservative incumbent RJ Sigurdson will return to the legislature for a second term as Highwood MLA.
As of 11:15 p.m., with only some advance polls left to be counted, Sigurdson had captured about 70 per cent of the popular vote.
Sigurdson had 10,411 votes, compared to 3,841 for NDP candidate Jessica Hallam. Wildrose Independence Party candidate Mike Lorusso was a distant third with 359 votes.
Sigurdson began his victory speech by acknowledging his supporters, who had gathered at The George in Okotoks to cheer their candidate on.
The people in this room voted for their community and for moving forward, he said.
"They chose a pathway for the future of Alberta, for the future of all our children," Sigurdson said.
He told supporters that being re-elected strikes him to the core.
"I love this community," he said. "I will always do everything I can to make sure that I represent Highwood and everybody here, and make sure that everybody is heard, is loved."
Although the NDP made gains in Highwood and across the province, the party came up short on election night.
Hallam received 26 per cent of the vote, the highest ever total for the party in Highwood.
Official results will be posted on June 8.
