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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Robert Hawkins waved election results in the air to applause and chants of "four more years" from around 30 supporters at his headquarters on the corner of 50 Street and 51 Avenue on Monday night.

Robert Hawkins, centre, waves the election results triumphantly in the air with his son McKinley at his campaign headquarters on the corner of 50 Street and 51 Avenue. Hawkins was re-elected to a third term as MLA for Yellowknife Centre on Monday night. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

He'd been elected MLA for Yellowknife Centre for his third consecutive term.

Hawkins took 427 votes to challenger Arlene Hache's 312 - or 58 per cent to 42 per cent - in an election that brought out just 34.6 per cent of the voters.

Hawkins said he was happy the campaign was over.

"Relieved is an understatement," he said. His plans for Tuesday were to sleep in and then start cleaning up his campaign signs, which occupy litter constituency lawns and roadsides.

To those who didn't cast a ballot in his favour, Hawkins said he bears no grudge and will be there to hear their concerns and issues.

"That's the type of MLA I've always been," said Hawkins.

Now that he has retained the seat, Hawkins said he "absolutely" has his eyes set on a cabinet post. Though open to what he might be given, he said Education, Culture and Employment; Public Works; and the Industry, Tourism and Investment portfolios are most closely aligned with his interests.

As to whom he may cast his support behind for the premiership bid, Hawkins said he wasn't ready to say.

After the results were in, supporters, including city councillor David Wind, began to file out, as a few core supporters stayed on to finish up the pizza, egg rolls and noodles that were brought by supporters and Hawkins himself - and to enjoy a celebratory glass of wine or two.

Range Lake MLA-elect Daryl Dolynny stopped by to congratulate Hawkins and received congratulations in turn.

Hawkins' challenger, Hache, made no appearance to congratulate her opponent.

Hache conceded the contest at her 53 Street campaign headquarters shortly before the advance polls came in, close to 9:30 p.m. on election night. She was surrounded by about three dozen supporters as the final results trickled in. More friends, including some musicians, arrived at the end of the night to congratulate the candidate for her effort and to keep the volunteers' spirits up.

"I knew it was going to be close," Hache said.

She said she perceives the low voter turnout as a message to all candidates.

"We didn't inspire the voters," she said. "I wouldn't say there was a huge endorsement of either of us. Will there come a day when there's an inspired turnout? I don't know because government continues to be undemocratic and not serving the public."

As the mood in the campaign office shifted from disappointment to celebration, Hache's supporters began looking forward to the next territorial election in 2015.

"I'm really discouraged by the turnout and I'm heartbroken she didn't win, but there's another chance in four years," said photographer and campaign volunteer Valerie Kimiksana. "I'll come and help her because she goes out of her way to help anyone."

Hache confirmed that she will run again.

"(The election result) really didn't change the path I set for myself," Hache said. "The next step is to continue being an advocate and calling the government into question and speaking out."

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