Following a near loss in 2021, Tamara Kronis has won the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding in the 2025 Federal Election. The two-time Conservative candidate won out, beating up the same cluster of opponents that she had challenged four years previously. Kronis, who had lost by fewer than 1,200 votes in the previous election, was reported to have been celebrating with her volunteers and supporters late on Monday evening.
“I am just so thankful to the citizens of Nanaimo-Ladysmith for allowing me this great opportunity,” Tamara Kronis said in a tearful address to the media. “To all of those whom I spoke with on the doorsteps, thank you for sharing your opinion and your perspective with me. I hope that those discussions are the beginning of many discussions, and for other individuals who would like to make themselves heard, I look forward to speaking with you.”
Tamara Kronis: Positive Campaign Based on Hope
Tamara Kronis stressed that her campaign was one of positivity and change for the riding and the nation. “We’ve created a big, happy, positive team where our campaign was founded on hope for the future and for ensuring that we continue to work for the things that Nanaimo truly needs,” she said. Kronis intends to make issues such as affordability and housing a priority while tackling the larger crisis affecting the city.
“We’re going to be doing everything we can to focus on affordability and housing and to make sure that we come up with a serious plan to do everything we can to address the overall crisis in the city,” Kronis said. The new Member of Parliament is dedicated to representing the needs of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith community in the federal government.
Liberal Candidate Michelle Corfield Shocks with Fourth Place Result
A surprise candidate, Liberal contender Michelle Corfield, was election night. Traditionally running behind Conservatives, NDPs, and Greens, Corfield rode a wave of national Liberal support sparked by new leader Mark Carney. Finishing fourth, Corfield’s campaign had a lasting impact on local politics.
“With all of the issues that we had in mind to address, we’ve raised them all. We set forestry and the health tower top of mind. I couldn’t be more pleased with my staff and the gains that we have made, and the dialogue that we have created,” Corfield stated.
She underlined conducting her campaign “based on facts and light on people.” All challenges notwithstanding, Corfield stood tall in her praise of the work put by her team. “We stood behind the principles and values that we believe in, and those are true Liberal principles and values and I’m very, very proud of everything that we’ve done,” she further added.
NDP’s Lisa Marie Barron Looks Back at Election Defeat
For NDP candidate Lisa Marie Barron, the 2025 election was a reflection of her party’s woes across the country. Barron, who took the riding four years ago, could not hold on to her seat this time. She was in a close battle for third and fourth place with Green Party candidate Paul Manley all night long.
Barron said she was proud to have run a positive campaign, one that was about unity and not division. “I just want to say that we had an amazing campaign, we were uniting people, we were doing the hard work of ensuring we weren’t spreading hate or division,” Barron said to her supporters. “We did not go that low, and I want to make it really clear that I am so incredibly proud of each and every one of you.”
Reflection on Vote Splitting and Progressive Support
Barron also spoke on the issue of vote splitting in the riding, which likely impacted her party’s ability to retain the seat. “There’s a lot of support and a lot of us that are all wanting to come together and make sure we’re moving in the right direction,” she said. “We know the progressive vote has been much bigger than the Conservatives, if we consolidate those votes, so I hope that this will be the time for us to reflect and unite and come out even stronger at the next election.”
