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Photo by Matt Smith / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

In what turned out to be a winning strategy, Redekopp — who received 18,406 votes to Benson’s 15,270 as support for the Liberals in the riding collapsed — campaigned hard on the need for change in Ottawa, despite having a New Democratic opponent.

“This was not a referendum on the current MP; this was a referendum on Justin Trudeau,” Redekopp said, adding that the Conservatives’ 14-seat sweep of Saskatchewan suggests the sentiment is not limited to Saskatoon West.

Benson, who took a swig of beer before attempting to buoy disconsolate supporters late Monday night, suggested in her concession speech that the Liberal vote in the riding may have either stayed home or gone to Redekopp.

“What I heard most on the doorsteps was people disappointed and upset with the Liberal government and Justin Trudeau,” she added in an interview on Tuesday, noting that in her view the “national story prevailed.”

Photo by Liam Richards / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Gary Vidal, who defeated Jolibois and star Liberal candidate Tammy Cook-Searson in Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River by more than 3,300 votes each, acknowledged it may have played a role but pointed out that the northern riding operates differently.

That is largely because support for any one political party is thought to matter less than support for individual candidates in a constituency where regional allegiances and issues unique to the north play a significant role.

On a night that saw around 4,000 fewer people in the riding cast ballots than in 2015, Vidal emerged victorious — which he attributed to his campaign’s “positive message,” his strong relationships and a massive get-out-the-vote effort.