A major victory for the governing Progressive Conservatives in Halifax.

Twila Grosse will be the next MLA for Preston, stealing a riding that has traditionally been a Liberal stronghold.

She took just over 45.2 per cent of the vote in the byelection on Tuesday night.

Unofficial Results

• PC Party: Twila Grosse – 1,950 votes
• NDP: Colter Simmonds – 1,145 votes
• Liberal Party: Carlo Simmons – 1,021 votes
• Green: Anthony Edmonds – 101 votes
• Nova Scotians United: Charles Bobby Taylor – 95 votes.

Voter turnout was just under 39 per cent.

The seat became vacant when Angela Simmonds stepped down in April from her MLA position.

The Progressive Conservatives now hold 32 seats while the Liberals with 16 seats, the New Democrats with six and there is one Independent MLA.