Thomas headed back to Ottawa

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Sunny South News

Joe Manio
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Projected to win re-election, incumbent MP Rachael Thomas thanked her staff and supporters gathered at the Paradise Canyon Golf Club Monday evening, to watch both local and national results of the Federal Election.

“First off…to each and every voter who cast a ballot, whether they voted for me or someone else, I am still thankful. Because it’s what makes our democracy strong.”

Thomas thanked more than 130 volunteers for their work and dedication during the campaign, her campaigns staff and her Ottawa staff that had flown to Lethbridge for the occasion.

With 238 of 256 polls reporting in, Thomas had received 35,913 votes (61%), Liberal Chris Spearman received 19,164 votes (32.6%), and New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Nathan Svoboda received 2,230 votes (3.7%). 

This was the fourth time Thomas has won the Lethbridge riding since winning the nomination prior to the 2015 federal election.

Though Spearman closed the gap between the Liberals and Conservatives in the riding, Thomas also increased her total percentage of the vote. She held 60.9% of the overall votes as of press time, which was up from the previous level of 55.3% in the 2021 federal election. The NDP, meanwhile, dropped from more than 19% of the vote in 2021 to just 3.8% last night.

Thomas told supporters that, while the Conservative Party won’t be the ruling party, it made gains in Monday’s election and she’ll work hard to ensure the party’s values re repesented in the new government.

“We have the opportunity to be the change we want,” she said.