Gélinas celebrates Nickel Belt win with friends and family

France Gélinas easily won re-election Thursday night in Nickel Belt.

Nickel Belt incumbent France Gélinas was with friends, family and supporters Thursday night at Cousin Vinny’s Restaurant and Bar in Hanmer, anxiously awaiting results.

But it wasn’t a long wait. CTV declared Gélinas the winner just before 9:30, taking almost 50 per cent of the vote.

She will return to Queen’s Park for a sixth consecutive term.

Nickel Belt has sent a New Democrat to Queen’s Park non-stop since the 1970s. With her win Thursday night, Gélinas is the second-longest person to hold the seat after Floyd Laughren, who was MPP for eight consecutive terms.

With all ballots counted, Gélinas had 48.37 per cent of the vote, followed by Randy Hazlett of the Conservatives (35.67 per cent) and Liberal Natalie Labbée (10.94 per cent).