Greg Selinger keeps job as premier after NDP leadership convention

WATCH ABOVE: Manitoba NDP Premier Selinger hold on to power after leadership challenge. Tamara Forlanski reports.

WINNIPEG — Greg Selinger keeps his job as premier of Manitoba after leadership vote on Sunday.

Selinger took 759 of the 1490 votes cast beating former health minister Theresa Oswald by only 33 votes.

After the results were announced Theresa Oswald and Steve Ashton, who was knocked out of the running during the first ballot early Sunday afternoon joined Selinger on the stage and showed a united front. “I would like to make a motion that the results of this election are unanimous,” Oswald said.

Ashton followed with, “Theresa just moved it, I second the motion. It’s unanimous, we’re united as New Democrats.”

Greg Selinger took the mic to chants of “NDP!” from the crowd of delegates, “Even though we’ve had a leadership contest I believe at the core we all support the same values.”

The premier is apparently ready to get back to work as soon as he can, “Once we get back together we’ll be out there right away next week serving the people of Manitoba.”

READ MORE: Timeline: A breakdown of the Manitoba NDP leadership crisis

Greg Selinger won the first round of voting at the NDP leadership convention early Sunday afternoon, but just barely.

Selinger took 612 of the votes, Theresa Oswald 575 and Steve Ashton 502.

Steve Ashton didn’t tell his delegates which way to vote. He says he never spoke out against anyone before and won’t now.

The first round of voting at the NDP convention started at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

A sitting premier has never had to fight for his or her job quite like this.

Greg Selinger went up against two of his former cabinet ministers.

READ MORE: They want to be premier: candidates for Manitoba NDP leadership

Before delegates cast their ballots Theresa Oswald, Steve Ashton and Selinger had 20 minutes each to sway delegates Sunday morning. The order was decided by a draw.

WATCH: Political analyst breaks down candidate speeches

Oswald said she is the best positioned to take on Brian Pallister and the conservatives during the next election.

“Some of them think the NDP has stopped fighting for them… But it doesn’t have to be that way,” said Oswald.

She told the room about her roots in the North End and was introduced by Eugene Kostyra, an advisor to Gary Doer.

WATCH: Theresa Oswald gives speech before First Ballot voting

Ashton reminded the crowed that he, “respected keeping internal matters internal.” He also stressed his long serving history with the party and was introduced by his daughter, Niki Ashton, a federal NDP MP.

WATCH: Steve Ashton gives speech before First Ballot voting

READ MORE: Full coverage of the Manitoba NDP leadership race

Selinger was the last to address the crowd. He told them he has a “good economic plan…and that plan is working.”

“Governments can win election when they are growing the economy,” said Selinger.

He was introduced by NDP MLA Eric Robinson.

WATCH: Greg Selinger gives speech before First Ballot voting

Tune in to Global News Sunday at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. for full broadcast coverage of the vote.