Political newcomer wins hotly contested Abbotsford-South Langley race

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ABBOTSFORD — Independent candidate Mike de Jong’s attempt to upset the establishment and win the hotly contested Abbotsford-South Langley riding fell short Monday night.

Instead his Conservative rival Sukhman Gill won the riding, edging Liberal candidate Kevin Gillies.

With 55 of 215 polls reporting, Gill had captured 42 per cent of the vote, Gillies had 32 per cent of the vote and de Jong had 21 per cent of the vote.

Other candidates had less than 5 per cent of the vote Monday night.

Gill is a 25-year-old businessman who was looking to become Abbotsford-South Langley riding’s first Member of Parliament. However, Gill

On his campaign page, Sukhman Gill stated that he would use his local upbringing to serve his community, writing that he grew up on – and started managing – his family’s local blueberry farm while pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

“I’ve gained valuable experience managing farm operations and gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by local families and businesses,” he said. “Our community has undergone significant changes, many of which have been detrimental. The cost of living is soaring, housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable, and rising crime rates are making families feel less secure.”