Genia Leskiw won the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party nomination to represent the Bonnyville — Cold Lake constituency after PC Party members took to the polls on Saturday.
Leskiw, incumbent MLA, won the election easily with 897 votes to challenger Gene Sobolewski's 174. Of her 897 votes, 325 came from Bonnyville, 530 came from Cold Lake and 42 came from Glendon. Sobolewski received 152 in Bonnyville, 12 in Cold Lake, and 10 in Glendon.
“It's like a whole world is lifted off of my shoulders,” Leskiw said after the votes were counted. “I can't wipe the smile off my face. It feels good that the people of the Bonnyville — Cold Lake area believe in me and decided that I should continue to be their choice in the next election.
“It feels good, it feels like people have faith in me, have confidence in me, they trust me. I've worked hard for everybody, for the four corners of this constituency, and they know I'll continue to work hard.”
She credits her win to both the team that helped run her campaign and to her role in the community for the past 36 years, as well as what she has accomplished for the constituency since first becoming MLA three years ago.
“The number of people supporting me and helping me get re-elected was phenomenal,” she said. “Absolutely phenomenal. It just warms your heart.”
She wasn't surprised by the level of support she received in Bonnyville, explaining, “I taught here for 33 years. I taught many of the parents, I taught many of the kids here. My husband taught here for 30 years. When you make an area your home for 36 years, the people have decided what you mean to them by then.”
Leskiw says she's ready to face her next challenge, which is working towards the provincial election —predicted to be held some time next year — where she will face off against Wildrose Alliance Party candidate Chuck Farrer.
