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A Canadian Forces veteran who served in Afghanistan will now serve at city hall, ending a weird 17-way battle to succeed Bob Monette in Orléans.

Matthew Luloff edged Catherine Kitts by fewer than 300 votes, winning with 23.8 per cent of the vote. Rick Bédard finished a strong third with 18 per cent of the vote. No one else came close.

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“I’m an ex-soldier … So I know what it’s like to fight uphill,” Luloff said of the campaign against so many opponents.

Luloff joined the Forces in 2002 and went to Afghanistan in 2008.

He promised to advocate for mental health and the arts and was endorsed by neighbouring Coun. Stephen Blais of Cumberland.

“I know I didn’t get everybody’s vote and I know that this isn’t a gigantic mandate, and I’m going to work very hard to earn everybody’s trust,” he said on Monday night.

Even the end of the race had a bizarre moment. Luloff had to delay his arrival at his victory party because one poll out of 97 didn’t report, and with a mere 258-vote lead, his team was not yet sure of victory until nearly 10 p.m.