From the beginning the leaders of race were Sandra Pupatello and Wynne with Pupatello leading by two votes on the first ballot. Then Dr. Eric Hoskins, the last person who dropped off took his one hundred and fifty delegates to Wynne. Fifth place Harinder Takhar, widely believed to be a Pupatello stalking horse then went over to Pupatello. The second vote was even a greater lead for Pupatello. During the third ballot however fourth place Charles Sousa went over to Wynne and then third place Gerard Kennedy who had not gained any ballots in the previous vote also went over to Wynne. At that point Wynne had won.
Since Pupatello was not a sitting member, she would've had to go to bi-election before she could sit in the house (as was Kennedy). Wynne however, who was a sitting member will start her government by the middle of February. Pupatello was also supported by former M.P. Joe Volpe who was mired by a scandal before he lost the ballet last election.
Wynne will join other female premiers in Canada, this time in the largest province. I wonder what provincial Conservative leader Tim Hudak is thinking now.
Adu Raudkivi
