NDP’s Popham edges Liberals’ Calder in close fight

Fortress NDP in Saanich South was under siege Tuesday night as two-time incumbent Lana Popham had to fight for her third term. It wasn’t until 50 of 78 polls were in that her turf war with Liberal Dave Calder seemed finally over.

By press time, Popham had pulled ahead with a 10 percentage point lead over Calder.

Popham declined to speak to the Times Colonist, as she awaited returns from more polls.

But Calder said he was disappointed. “I always thought it would be a close race.”

He said he was “blown away” by the support he received from volunteers, although he wished his showing had been stronger. “The people have spoken and I respect that.”

Green candidate Mark Neufeld came third, but had a strong showing with 25 per cent of the vote with most polls counted.

“You always want to win, that’s the big dream,” said the Claremont secondary teacher. “We always made it our No. 1 goal to get the biggest youth vote ever.”

Popham was expected to join fellow NDP victors Rob Fleming and Carol James, who enjoyed easier wins, at downtown NDP headquarters, but opted to stay at her own campaign office, closely watching returns.

NDP candidates have won the riding every provincial election since 1991, except for 2001, in the Liberal juggernaut that took 77 of 79 seats.

The riding includes several suburban neighbourhoods along the Patricia Bay Highway, a fair chunk of Cordova Bay waterfront, Elk and Beaver Lake and agricultural land.

In 2013, roughly 67 per cent of registered voters in Saanich South went to the polls, well above the B.C. average of 57 per cent.