Voters "never wrong," Clouthier says

by Vance Gutzman

Hector Clouthier can take a well-deserved breather now.

The Independent candidate, who has been running an election campaign since before the election was even called, was defeated for a second time by Cheryl Gallant in Monday night's federal election.

Unofficial results at the end of the night showed Clouthier trailing the incumbent MP by a margin of more than 17,500 votes.

Election night started out as a celebration party for the Clouthier camp, at his brother Jimmy's magnificent log home on the Ottawa River, but the mood turned sombre once the polls started reporting in.

By the time 85 of the polling stations in Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke had reported in, Gallant was leading Clouthier by a margin of 7,735 to 2,968, and Lloyd Robertson used that moment to announce that the CTV was predicting a Conservative majority government.

"The gun law will be gone," said one of the spectators from Jimmy Clouthier's couch.

The candidate himself, who ran a political marathon over the course of the past year, had no choice but to concede defeat.

"The people are never wrong," Clouthier told his supporters.

That being said, Clouthier also said he is concerned about what Gallant's re-election might mean for those same people.

"I feel a little sorry for the people of Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke," he said.

"I'm a little concerned with what's going to happen to this riding."

And while he didn't bestow much praise on Gallant, who defeated Clouthier by a margin of 20,639 to 18,216 votes the last time the two went toe to toe back in 2000, he did have good things to say about the other candidates in this riding, including New Democrat Eric Burton.

"Mr. Burton brought a lot of passion and enthusiasm to his campaign," Clouthier said.

"He handled himself quite well."

But when it came to praise, Clouthier reserved the best of it for those who mean the most to him, and he teared up and choked up when he talked about the support his family has given him over the years.

"I'm not just talking about my own family. I'm talking about my brothers and sisters," he said.

"We were taught by our parents to stick together."

And then there was his three sons, Nicholas, Tyler and Jeffrey.

"I'm really proud of my sons," Clouthier said.

"I hope they get something out of this."

Clouthier saved the best for his wife, Debbie, who has been standing behind her man his whole political life.

"Debbie said to me tonight, 'Is it ever dark out, Hector'," he recounted of their drive over to Jimmy's.

"When it's the darkest out, though, the stars shine the brightest," he added, referring to his significant other.

"The best thing that ever happened to me was marrying this lovely lady."

The worst political thing that ever happened to Clouthier may have been Cheryl Gallant, but he said in defeat that he doesn't think the electorate voted for Gallant as much as they did for Stephen Harper, so he could gain a majority government.

"They for a majority government. Let's see what they do with it," he said.

"I don't believe she's that immensely popular."

Clouthier is going to take the next little while reflecting upon the campaign that was, and says he doesn't plan on staying idle for long.

"I'm a worker. I always have been," he said.

"I will find something to do with my life, rest assured."