Pauline Rochefort, who had been trailing for hours as the polling returns came in late Monday, pulled ahead for good over Garry Keller just as she arrived to meet supporters at the Granite Club. Rochefort admitted, on the advice of former MP Anthony Rota, she had a concession speech ready just in case When the Liberal Party candidate for Nipissing—Timiskaming in the April 28 federal vote arrived at her election night headquarters, it was already April 29. Pauline Rochefort, the sitting mayor of East Ferris, has now been elected to represent the riding in Ottawa. See related: Rochefort wins Nipissing-Timiskaming in nail-biter The Liberals won a fourth consecutive federal election, with morning-after results showing the party came four seats short of a majority. Unofficially, the Liberals took 43.5 per cent of the vote (168 seats), while the Conservatives (144 seats) finished with 41.4 per cent. The Bloc Québécois sit at 23 seats as of Tuesday morning, the NDP dropped to seven seats, and the Green Party won one. See also: Live blog: 2025 Federal election Nipissing-Timiskaming As of Tuesday morning, the returns show Rochefort garnered 26,657 or 46.9 per cent of the vote with one poll outstanding. In what turned out to be a two-candidate race, late entry Keller received 25,504 votes in Nipissing—Timiskaming or 44.9 per cent of the vote. The three other candidates combined for just 8.2 per cent of the vote, with Valerie Kennedy capturing 3,455 votes, John Janssen of the PPC, 631 votes, and Louis Poitras of the Green Party, 571. In a stark contrast to the recent snap provincial election, 56,818 of 84,549 registered electors, or 67.2 per cent cast a vote in Nipissing—Timiskaming, not including electors who registered on election day. "Thank you to everyone who voted for me and for Mark Carney," Rochefort said to supporters and media early on Tuesday, who gathered at the North Bay Granite Club. "People want leadership that will unite us and defend us. Leadership that will build the strongest, fairest, and freest country in the world," "I also understand that some citizens are angry, some are afraid, and others are suffering. That is why I will work hard to improve the lives of every citizen, business owner, and municipality that calls Nipissing—Timiskaming home. I am committed to serving every person in this riding, no matter who they voted for," added Rochefort. Profile: Pauline Rochefort is ready to lead It was an evening of thanks and acknowledgement as Rochefort recognized her opponents for standing for election, the local media for informing the public about the issues and the party platforms, supporters for their donations and signs, and the volunteers on her campaign team. "The small campaign group that was there at the beginning quickly grew into a dynamic, energetic, and first-rate campaign team, both in Timiskaming and in Nipissing. I'm also grateful for the support of the Nipissing Timiskaming Federal Liberal Association," said Rochefort. She paid special recognition to retiring MP Anthony Rota for his years of service to the riding. "I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the respect and gratitude for Anthony Rota that was expressed at so many doors we knocked on in Nipissing-Timiskaming. Anthony, you have served for nearly 18 years, and we are proud of you," said Rochefort Rochefort supported and advocated for the success of entrepreneurs and their businesses during her career in national economic and business development, finance and business strategy before retiring in 2014. As a passionate Canadian, she championed Canada's wood industry as the Canadian Wood Council President during the hard-fought softwood lumber trade dispute ending in 2006 with a trade agreement with the United States. It was because of this work that Ottawa University recognized her for her leadership in Canadian business. Rochefort approached federal politics with her success as a municipal leader, knowing that listening to people is one of the foundations of running for office. She has served on the East Ferris Municipal Council for more than 10 years and was in her second term as mayor when she made the decision to run for election.