The wave of orange seemed poised to make a run at the province, but like their spot in Ontario, in Barrie-Innisfil they will have to settle for second place.
Pekka Reinio (12,644 votes) in his first try at running for MPP came in runner-up behind the winner, Progressive Conservative Andrea Khanjin (22,112 votes).
Reinio celebrated at an NDP gathering at Wickies Pub on Burton Avenue in Barrie and said that while it isn't the result they wanted, it is a step in the right direction.
"We started with a small foundation back in the summer and we knew we were the underdogs," said Reinio. "But we've built a group of volunteers who believed in this platform and we had a good showing tonight."
The elementary school teacher is still very passionate about education and wants to make sure that the current provincial government keeps it high on their agenda.
"We are passionate about all public services and we will be in the House fighting hard to make sure they are all protected," said Reinio.
