INUVIK - Despite an NDP incumbent reclaiming the Western Arctic seat, Inuvik Mayor Denny Rodgers hopes the Conservative majority will still bode well for the region.

Denny Rodgers: "Unfortunately it's not a conservative MP" - NNSL file photo

Dennis Bevington reclaimed his seat Monday night, for the third election in a row. Rodgers, a lead campaigner for Conservative candidate Sandy Lee and a member of the Conservative party, was disappointed with the territorial result, but said he has hope for the federal government.

"Unfortunately it's not a conservative MP, but Stephen Harper has shown a keen interest in the North and I hope that continues," Rodgers said. "I hope he brings back some of the budget and we can get our road (to Tuktoyaktuk)."

Bevington will have difficulty working as an MP when he's not part of the majority party, Rodgers predicted.

"That being said, now that he's a member of the official opposition he could probably open more doors," Rodgers said. "We'll do the best that we can. I have nothing but respect for anyone who puts their name on a ballot. This is how democracy works."

NDP supporter and Boreal Books owner Dave Kaufman is pleased Bevington has been re-elected and with the NDP rise to national opposition.

"Personally I almost didn't believe the number coming in across the country," Kaufman said. "Just congratulations to Dennis and he'll do a good job. It's really wonderful for the number of people to out to vote. It's a great turnout."

At the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex in Inuvik, a steady stream of voters visited the polling station all day, from 7:30 a.m. up until the final minutes leading up to 7:30 p.m. Polling numbers show that more than 1,000 Inuvik residents went to the polls, up from around 600 in the 2006 federal election.

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