Kildonan – St. Paul wide open with no incumbent

WINNIPEG — For the first time in 11 years Kildonan – St. Paul will elect a new MP since Joy Smith is not seeking re-election. Smith is retiring and Jim Bell is taking over the conservative reigns, hoping to keep the riding in the Tories hands.

“We’re doing a little bit of everything; door knocking, telephoning, offering rides and working the polls,” Laurie Fisher, who works for Bell’s campaign said. “We are feeling cautiously optimistic and working up until the very last minute.”

READ MORE: Kildonan-St. Paul riding results

Bell is a high profile candidate, as the former COO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  He is also up against two strong candidates in his riding.

Former NDP cabinet minister MaryAnn Mihychuk is carrying the liberal banner. Mihychuk has been running for the liberals for over a year. Mihychuk has been personally visiting the polling stations on election day.

“I’m quite worried about strategic voting but I’m feeling great,” Mihychuk said. “We have a really large team out there visiting our liberal supporters.”

Nurse and former trustee Suzanne Hrynek is running for the NDP.

“We’re pulling our supports, its going well and lots of people have voted which is a good thing for all Canadians,” Paul McKie, one of Hrynyk’s campaign volunteers said. Hrynyk’s camp does not feel threatened by the poll numbers. “We don’t believe any of the polls at the riding basis, we have always thought it will be a tight three-way race,” McKie said.

Polls suggest the riding could continue leaning right but some political anaylists have said the lack of an incumbent could also make the race more open ended.

Polling stations in the Kildonan – St. Paul riding were steady Monday afternoon.