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Craig Scott carries the NDP torch in Toronto-Danforth

Rookie candidate Craig Scott has won Jack Layton’s Toronto-Danforth riding in a federal by-election Monday, holding on to the late leader’s east Toronto seat for the NDP.

It was an impressive victory with Scott more than doubling the votes of his Liberal challenger Grant Gordon. Conservative Andrew Keyes barely registered in the vote running neck-and-neck with the Green candidate with under five per cent of the vote.

An Orange Who’s Who gathered to celebrate with Scott, including NDP leadership candidates Thomas Mulcair, Peggy Nash, Paul Dewar and Brian Topp.

Olivia Chow hosted the celebratory night that reclaimed her late husband’s seat and Layton’s city councillor son Mike joined a huge team of NDP leading lights on hand for the victory.

Watch a clip of the speech below.

Interim NDP leader Nycole Turmel, who will be replaced this weekend at the party’s leadership convention was also on hand to stoke the Orange victory flame.

“A good friend of ours would say we’ve chosen love, we’ve chosen hope and we’ve chosen optimism,” the freshly minted NDP MP said to huge cheers as he invoked Layton’s death bed love letter to Canada.

“The people of Toronto-Danforth have put their trust in one of the strongest opposition parties in Canadian history,” said the Osgoode Hall law professor.

Scott has lived in the riding for 20 years and was joined onstage by his life partner Aeh Ratchadasri and the MP’s Mom.

michaelh@nowtoronto.com | @m_hollett

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