Premier Jean Charest loses his Sherbrooke seat

In a harsh blow for Quebec Liberals, party leader and Quebec premier Jean Charest has lost his seat of Sherbrooke.

Recent polls showing low support for Charest were proven true on Tuesday as he was defeated by PQ candidate Serge Cardin, who has previously held the federal riding of Sherbrooke for the Bloc Quebecois. Cardin turned to provincial politics after his defeat in the 2011 election.

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This is the second time that Cardin has succeeded Charest in office. After Charest stepped down from federal politics, Cardin filled the vacant seat. Cardin has also served as a city councillor for Sherbrooke.

Until Tuesday, Charest was the longest-serving sitting premier in Canada. He has had a long career at both the federal and provincial levels, first elected as Premier in 2003 and previously serving as a Progressive Conservative cabinet minister under Mulroney.

Charest’s Liberal government was also defeated Tuesday, losing to Pauline Marois’ Parti Quebecois.