Rob Miyashiro (right) speaks about being projected to win the Lethbridge-West by-election as Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi (left) stands by. (Photo: Alberta NDP)

By David Opinko

Rob Miyashiro projected to win Lethbridge-West by-election

Dec 19, 2024 | 8:35 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It appears the provincial riding of Lethbridge-West will stay with the Alberta NDP.

Elections Alberta has released the unofficial results for the by-election on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.

The Alberta NDP’s Rob Miyashiro is estimated to have garnered 7,239 votes, or approximately 53.4 per cent of the 13,561 votes cast.

That means Miyashiro is projected to become the next MLA for Lethbridge-West, a riding the party has held since 2015.

“Lethbridge-West, you’ve put your trust in me and I promise to honour that trust every day that I have the privilege of serving you,” says Miyashiro. “Alberta deserves better, so hey, let’s get to work.”

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Miyashiro said in his victory speech that he promises to represent all people in Lethbridge-West, whether they voted for the first time, are long-time NDP supporters, or voted for somebody else.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi congratulated Miyashiro on his projected victory.

Nenshi said the results mean the people of Lethbridge-West reject the governing United Conservative Party (UCP) and its ideals.

“They ran, and it must be said, a very good, very strong candidate, a decent human being, and a good public servant in John Middleton-Hope. They threw everything they could at this campaign and the people of Lethbridge-West said that’s not good enough,” says Nenshi.

He continues, “We do not accept what you’ve done to healthcare, we do not accept what you’ve done to public education, we do not accept what you’ve done to public safety and crime, we do not accept the cost of living and your lack of action on it, and we do not accept the fact that you have no plans for jobs for us, for our kids, and for our grandkids.”

Middleton-Hope came in second place with an estimated 6,089 votes or 44.9 per cent.

Elections Alberta says 223 people voted for the Alberta Party’s Layton Veverka, or 1.72 per cent.

The results should be finalized on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

The full unofficial results of the by-election can be found on Elections Alberta.

Speeches from Miyashiro and Nenshi are on the Alberta NDP’s Facebook page.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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