Newly elected MLA for Bulkley-Valley Stikine Sharon Hartwell says she believes the economy was a driving factor in her long-time orange riding turning blue.

“Well, from what we're hearing on the ground, it was, the economy. It was health care. A lot of seniors issues. You're looking for a long term care building, another one. And even across the North. When we drove up this week we stopped in Iskut and in Stewart. I mean, they have facilities there, but they're completely understaffed, they're bringing people in from the Lower Mainland on a temporary basis. So, you know, there's lots that needs to be done to sort of get back to the way things were, fully staffed, or at least some staff. And these are isolated communities that need help.”

Hartwell says she hopes folks won't be preoccupied by which party she represents, as she plans to work for everyone.

“Whether they're NDP or they're not NDP. To me, it's just about making communities better. So, I mean, you're going to have to evaluate and work together no matter what those issues are on the ground. I mean, when you're in local government, you're apolitical.

So you're speaking for the people, which is a little bit easier, maybe. But, you know, Mr. Rustad has given us the opportunity to be able to, you know, go over those bridges and break them down and have those, fulsome discussions with, with whomever.

And we're just looking forward to moving ahead and working for everybody involved with the team. And you know, like I said earlier, I mean, for me, this isn't about Nathan Cullen or myself. This is about the people in the writing it or asking for help and for change. So I'm happy to serve in whatever capacity that's going to, look at going forward.”

And as we part with a long-time politician in the Northwest, former MP and now former MLA Nathan Cullen says he's both disappointed and surprised with the outcome.

Cullen says his election loss wasn't for lack of trying - saying that of the seven elections he's been in, he believes this campaign was one of the best run in terms of reach and volunteers.

He says, however, that there was obviously a mood for change.

“There was a palpable pent up frustration over some things. And I also think, to be fair, there's a lot of anger. And we saw that early on, our signs were just getting destroyed like never before. We had that horrible episode with a sign on the highway where someone put up a hanging noose of me. And I talked to a lot of folks, in the last couple of days, particularly in First Nations communities that felt almost intimidated to vote.

And that that worries me a little bit. Like online. Oh my gosh. Like the rhetoric was violent sometimes. Not just like we don't like your government or Nathan, we don't like you. It was the next level. And I think we should really pay attention to that. And all parties should, should push away from that.”

Cullen says this trend towards violence will have consequences;

"One is, who's going to want to run for office? Second, what kind of government are you going to get if it's just if it's that kind of rage or, the meanness, like, I don't, I don't mind debate. I don't mind people disagreeing even really strongly. I think that's healthy. It's when it crosses over into that that other place. I think it's worthwhile, all of us, whatever your political persuasion, of pushing back and calming things down and not making everything so personal."