Political veteran Monte McNaughton is heading back to Queen’s Park.

The PC Party candidate in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex easily defeated his nearest competitor, the NDP’s Todd Case of Warwick.

The Progressive Conservatives won a commanding majority with 76 seats. The NDP becomes the official opposition with 39. It appears the Liberals have not won enough seats to maintain party status. The former governing party is down to seven seats (as of midnight). McNaughton took 55 per cent of the vote, garnering 11,086 more votes than Case. The Liberals came a distant third with just 3 per cent of the votes or 3,138 ballots. Voter turnout was higher than it has been in long time at 62.17 per cent

McNaughton was pleased with the victory saying the people clearly were looking for change. “There has never been a more humbling moment in my life. I’m not only humbled by the extent of what has happened here in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, I consider the trust that you have placed in my sacred and I give you my solemn word to do my upmost to justify your faith.

“I’m excited for the future to work together to build this great province,” McNaughton told supporters at the Mt. Brydges Legion.

Case called to congratulate the MPP and says if he were to give the MPP some advice it would be to remember to help the people of his riding, no matter what happens in Toronto or with his party.