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Decision'06 Duignan: Third is fine NDP candidate Noel Duignan "felt pretty good" about his third-place finish in the riding Monday night. "I did as well as I expected to do," said Duignan, 57, of Georgetown who served as the NDP MPP for Halton North from 1990 to 1995 and ran as the NDP candidate in the last federal election. Duignan received 6,795 votes (12.4 per cent of the votes) Monday compared to 5,974 in the 2004 election. "I think a lot of people were unhappy with the Liberal government and they saw the NDP as a safer alternative than the Conservatives," said Duignan. "It was an extremely tough campaign," he said, adding it was held at the wrong time of the year. On his party's national showing, Duignan said he thought they would have picked up a few more seats in B.C. Duignan said it was too early to say what his future political plans would be. Wizniewski: Up is the only place to go Although he finished last in Monday's election, independent candidate Mike Wisniewski said running as a federal candidate in the WellingtonHalton Hills riding was an "amazing" experience. "I can only go up from here," said Wisniewski, 21, of Fergus, who admits he didn't achieve the goal he had set for himself to not finish last. He earned 352 or 0.6 per cent of the votes in the riding. Factors that affected his outcome he said included the fact he had to take a week off from campaigning due to illness, and he didn't feel his campaign "was organized enough." He said he is considering running again federally. "I'll shout it from the top of the mountain, I'm going to stay involved," said Wisniewski, a parttime grocery store employee. Christian Heritage Party candidate Carolann Krusky, who finished fifth, did not return a phone call from The Independent & Free Press. Bouteiller: Surpasses goal Brent Bouteiller was pleased to see an increase in support for the Green Party in the riding Monday night compared to the 2004 election. Bouteiller, 38, of Fergus, finished fourth in the riding with 3,362 votes compared to 2,725 in 2004. He said he was happy to surpass his goal of 3,000 votes. "We did a lot more campaigning this time around than last," he said. "We were able to get the message out." Bouteiller, a transportation engineer/hobby shop owner, was glad to see his party pick up about 100,000 more votes across the country, and if proportional representation was in effect, that would have translated into some seats for the party, he said. He said he plans to run federally again. Defeated Liberal candidate Rod Finnie (right) congratulates Michael Chong on his victory Monday night. Chong grabbed an early lead and coasted to a nearly 12,000-vote triumph over his nearest challenger. Chong has been touted by some observers as a potential cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's government. Stories by Lisa Tallyn Photos by Ted Brown Chong: Strong national campaign helped Continued from pg. 1 He attributed his win in part to a strong national campaign. "It was much more focused, it was much more disciplined. We looked like a party in waiting." Other factors that contributed to his success in the election he said, were a better-run local campaign compared to 2004, and the fact the Conservatives' policies-- on cuts to the GST, new accountability legislation, crackdown on gun crime and helping parents with childcare costs-- resonated with the electorate. Chong, 34, of Nichol Township (near Fergus), said the national outcome for his party was "within the parameters I expected. He said the government will "work on an issue by issue basis with each of the different parties" and stressed the Conservative government "will not form any coalition with Bloc Québécois." His personal priority, he said, will be to "continue to ensure I remain connected to the people in the riding." He also plans to continue serving on the Halton Hills' physician recruitment committee to try and bring new doctors to the area and ensure the government fulfills its commitment to cut GO Transit costs by 16 per cent. "I'm happy to serve in any position (Conservative Leader Stephen) Mr. Harper wants to serve me in," said Chong, when asked about speculation by some political pundits he could be in line for a cabinet post. "My primary role is to serve my constituents as their MP. Any additional responsibility is up to Mr. Harper." Liberal candidate Rod Finnie, 58, of Erin, was pleasantly surprised by his party's national showing, but he expected to receive more votes personally. "It was not the reaction that I was getting at the door so I thought we would do better than this," said Finnie, who surrounded by family and approximately 20 supporters, watched the election results come in at the Georgetown Optimist Hall. "I think Michael Chong has been a good representative," Finnie said, when asked why the Liberals had a poor showing in the riding. "He's a good person, he works hard and he makes sure he works in all parts of the riding." Finnie, Erin's mayor, also said the sponsorship scandal was one of the key issues he heard from the public while campaigning and the Conservatives "played that issue up well." Early in the campaign Finnie said he was worried that a Conservative government could weaken the federation, but he is hopeful that won't occur. "I'm sure if the other Conservatives that were elected are like Mike they will do what's best for the country and that's what I sincerely hope will happen." When asked about his future political plans, Finnie said he needed to consider his options before making a decision. --By Lisa Tallyn, staff writer No, re-elected Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong wasn't belting out a karaoke tune Monday night. The 34-year-old Conservative was addressing the crowd at his victory party.