rfmcdonald | [URBAN NOTE] "NDP wins in Jack Layton's former riding" (Reply)

Unsurprisingly, NDP candidate Craig Scott won the by-election in the riding of Toronto—Danforth--the riding held by late NDP leader Jack Layton--by a very comfortable margin. Hopes that a Liberal resurgence might begin in this riding, lost to Layton back in 2004, seem doomed to be unsatisfied.

Jack Layton’s former riding will remain NDP orange after rookie candidate Craig Scott captured the highest number of votes in Monday’s byelection in the federal riding of Toronto-Danforth.

Scott, a law professor, held off a challenge from Liberal Grant Gordon.

Monday’s result ends what was a muted race over which Layton’s name loomed large.

Leading the party in last May’s federal election, Layton hoisted the NDP to Official Opposition status for the first time in its history before falling ill to the cancer that claimed his life in August.

In his victory speech, Scott praised Layton and vowed to continue his push to hold the governing Conservatives to account.

"It looks like the orange crush is here to stay," said Scott. Echoing words from Layton's famous final letter, Scott said "we have chosen love, we've chosen hope, we've chosen optimism."

The Liberals conceded their loss in Monday's byelection at about 9:15 p.m., before the NDP win was official.

With some polls still to report, Scott had won about 59 per cent of the vote, while Gordon was running a distant second with about 29 per cent.