Michael Nadli has been returned as the Deh Cho MLA despite pleading guilty to an assault charge earlier this year.
Nadli admitted attacking his spouse in April, during a domestic dispute in Fort Providence. He received a 45-day jail sentence following time spent in domestic violence treatment option court, but was released from jail early enough to file his papers as a territorial candidate.
Unofficial results on Monday night showed Nadli with 190 votes to Roland Bonnetrouge’s 172. Gregory Nyuli took 66 votes with Lyle Fabian last-placed on 40.
Among other incumbents returned to the legislature, transportation, public works and human resources minister Tom Beaulieu was re-elected comfortably in the new riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Beaulieu defeated challenger Richard Edjericon by 410 votes to 177.
Glen Abernethy, the health minister, easily defeated Chris Clarke in Great Slave, polling 511 votes to Clarke’s 135.
“I’m truly honoured by the support of the Great Slave residents and really happy that they still have confidence in me,” Abernethy told Moose FM. He hopes to return to cabinet.
“We need to do more work around mental health,” continued Abernethy. “We need to get land claims done and find ways to support the economy.”
Robert C McLeod, minister for municipal and community affairs, defeated rival Jimmy Kalinek by 262 votes to 174 in Inuvik Twin Lakes. Alfred Moses returns as MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, beating Desmond Loreen in a landslide by 366 votes to 47.
