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Even though the Conservatives made large gains in respect to the popular vote in the province, up more than eight points since 2007 to 44 percent of all ballots cast, it didn't convert to massive seat gains as some might have hoped, the addition of one riding to their territory increasing their tally to a 19 seat total. For the NDP it was different story, with their 46 per cent voter popularity working in their favour, strengthening their ranks in the legislature from 36 to 37 seats.
By looking closely at the geographical political map from the viewpoint of colour, one red shaded area indicating the Winnipeg riding of River Heights could be discerned. This being the home turf of Liberal party leader Jon Gerrard, it is also the only seat the Liberals managed to hang on to in Manitoba, and not by a huge margin at that. On the whole, with the exception of Winnipeg, the entire southern portion of the province remained Conservative territory, with the NDP taking everything north of Riding Mountain.
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To explicate the disparity between the popular vote and its translation into seats, the main reason for the NDP win was its successful campaign focus to capture the urban vote, taking most of the 31 ridings in Winnipeg which, out of a provincial total of 57, automatically account for a majority in the Manitoba legislature.
Locally, Agassiz constituency incumbent Stu Briese was re-elected by an overwhelming majority, taking 70 per cent of the popular vote, with more than 4,400 supporters expressing confidence in his representation. Although expressing elation at his solid endorsement, Briese could not help but express some disappointment in the election results as well.
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"I was certainly pleased to win the new constituency of Agassiz," Briese commented, adding "I was disappointed by our performance province wide. I really thought that we were better positioned to either form government or have more members on our side of the house, at least.
"My volunteer team did a wonderful job," he continued, "The boundaries have changed somewhat with the new Agassiz constituency, but we were able to increase our majority considerably from the last election, and that usually reflects on a real good campaign team working out there."
