Caroline Cochrane-Johnson will start work as Range Lake’s new MLA on Tuesday, following the result of a judicial recount.
The narrow 10-vote margin initially declared between Cochrane-Johnson and incumbent Daryl Dolynny triggered a full recount.
The NWT Supreme Court presided over that recount on Monday. The court’s recount reportedly showed a wafer-thin five-vote difference but, once again, Cochrane-Johnson emerged the victor – by 333 votes to 328.
“For many obvious reasons, it’s been a difficult number of days for my family and myself leading up to today’s legislated recount,” Dolynny posted in a concession on Facebook.
“Since last Monday’s unofficial results, the outpouring of support from Range Lake voters and many northerners has lessened the sting, but one must realize democracy has spoken and I must abide, as painful as it is.
“I leave with no regrets,” he said. “To Caroline, best of luck with Range Lake and the 18th Legislative Assembly.”
The confirmed result means Dolynny leaves office after a single four-year term. Cochrane-Johnson and other MLAs-elect are set to report for their first day at work in the legislature on Tuesday morning.
Cory Vanthuyne will be among them. Vanthuyne, a former city councillor and deputy mayor of Yellowknife, won the district of Yellowknife North by just 16 votes and faces his own judicial recount on Tuesday. However, he told Moose FM he will attend the legislature rather than be present at the recount.
Vanthuyne polled 392 votes in last Monday’s territorial election. Dan Wong, on 376, was the second-placed challenger according to Elections NWT’s unofficial results.
Earlier on Monday, Nunakput’s seat in the legislature was officially awarded to Herb Nakimayak. Nakimayak’s four-vote victory over incumbent Jackie Jacobson was the first of the three recounts to be carried out by the Supreme Court, which upheld the result.
