In one of the tightest races in the province, Green Party candidate Adam Olsen appears to be the early winner in Saanich North and the Islands, with NDP candidate Gary Holman more than 10 percentage points behind.

Liberal Stephen Roberts is in third place.

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“I came in with a lot of confidence … but this is surreal,” said Olsen, adding giving B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver a hug was one of the first things on his agenda.

“We’ve been through a lot together.”

Olsen said the last four years, including 18 months as interim leader of the party, helped him prepare for his new job.

As one of at least two Greens elected, he predicted this is the first Green breakthrough of many in B.C.

“It will be fascinating to see the total votes,” he said.

Olsen and his supporters held a party at the McTavish Arts Academy to watch the results come in live television projections.

The crowd cheered as Olsen was projected to win, as well as when Weaver won his seat.

Olsen thanked his family and supporters, giving out “ode to volunteers” cards. Kids high-fived each other and volunteers celebrated.

Earlier in the evening, incumbent Holman held a party with his team at the waterfront Beacon Landing pub.

“We’ve run a great campaign with remarkable supporters,” said Holman. “I think it’s fair to say the people I’ve met on all sides have appreciated the work I’ve done here … and there’s a lot of unfinished business I want to work on.”

Roberts held a results party at his campaign headquarters in downtown Sidney.

“I was on the phones and knocking on doors,” he said. “It’s been an exciting campaign.”

The riding had one of the highest turnouts in the advance polls.

At the Shoal Centre voting place a few hours before the polls closed, a few voters made it in after work.

Jean Gaudin, a boatbuilder riding a motorcycle with a sparkly green helmet, said he voted for Olsen. “Environmental issues are first for me … we need to give our grandkids a healthy planet.”

Mike Hinz, a carpenter, said he also liked the Green platform.

“I don’t agree with LNG … and affordable housing is important here. We’re being priced out of our own market.”

Katrina and Ragnar Olafson voted for the first time in a B.C. Election, having moved from Alberta.

“It’s a bit of a shock to not have the Conservative option here,” Katrina Olafson said.

spetrescu@timescolonist.com