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“The people of Bay of Quinte have sent a clear message tonight by electing a strong local champion who will fight the Liberal carbon tax and Bonnie Crombie’s plan to raise taxes,” Ford posted on social media.

“Congratulations @tylerallsoppPC and welcome to the team! Now let’s get it done.”

With Ford considering an early election next year instead of waiting until June 2026, the Conservatives saw their share of support shrink slightly Thursday night to of the votes from the 49 per cent that Smith enjoyed in the 2022 general election.

Liberal candidate Sean Kelly, a local radio host and also a city councillor, came in a strong second, garnering about one-third of all votes cast. New Democrat Amanda Robertson placed third with about 23 per cent, followed by Green candidate Lori Borthwick with about three per cent.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie noted her party’s improved showing in the riding compared to the 2022 election, saying “Bay of Quinte families deserve a fresh, honest voice representing their needs at Queen’s Park. We’ve been the underdogs since day one, yet the voters sent a clear message that we are the only party who can take on Doug Ford.” 

Affordable housing, wait times for health care, tax levels and the government’s record were issues in the campaign, which coincided with Ford’s move to get beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails into more than 4,000 convenience stores across the province on Sept. 5. 

In bids to woo voters, Ford, several of his cabinet ministers, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Green Leader Mike Schreiner swooped into the riding that includes the city of Belleville, nearby rural areas and picturesque Prince Edward County whose wineries and beaches are a draw for tourists.

The premier called the byelection within days of Smith’s resignation last month to take a job with nuclear reactor company Candu Energy Inc. as vice-president of marketing and business development.

Smith, whose wife is a high school vice-principal, had been energy minister for three years before being shifted to education in a June cabinet shuffle. 

The NDP placed second in the riding in the June 2022 general election, with the Liberals a close third. Both parties had different candidates at that time. 

Thursday’s byelection came with Ford’s PCs riding high in the Star’s August Abacus public opinion poll, with 42 per cent support despite challenges including an RCMP investigation into his government’s $8.28 billion Greenbelt land swap scandal.

The Liberals were at 26, the NDP at 21 and the Greens were at eight per cent support in the Abacus poll.