As the results began to roll in once the polls closed Monday night, Liberals gathered at Parksville's Quality Resort Bayside became more and more subdued — with one exception.
Nanaimo-Alberni Candidate Renee Miller remained upbeat and raring to climb into the ring again at some point in the future.
“I think my message got out,” she said. “We had some terrific volunteers, with Liberals coming out of the woodwork and we’ve had a really exciting campaign.”
Miller noted the most successful candidate since the Liberal heyday in 1974 received about 14,000 votes and that, rather than overall victory, was the benchmark she had set for herself this time around.
“Our goal at the outset was to give the Conservatives a run for their money and we did that,” she said. “In the last election the Liberal candidate received 5,800 votes, which is dyed in the wool Liberals. That’s the track record we have to beat in this election. Hopefully we will get past the 14,000 mark though.”
Regardless of the outcome however, Miller said voters have not seen the last of her.
“I am in this for the long run,” she said. “I had so much fun this election. I see many, many more campaigns ahead. I’m afraid I have fairly lofty aspirations. I want a shot at the PM’s chair.”