At press time tonight, the Green Party’s Amy Collard had captured just over one per cent more of the vote, while the NDP’s Rob Wagner had managed to snag about 0.1 per cent more.

But both party candidates insist it’s all about baby steps.

Collard, who joined faithful supporters at the Olde Dickens last night, seemed disappointed when initial numbers flashed across the TV screen, but retained her optimism toward the end of the night.

“I feel the heart of voters is with the Green Party,” she said. “I think a lot of people wanted to vote for us, but were afraid and voted strategically.”

She set out hoping to get 10 per cent of the vote, and still hadn’t completely given up hope by 11 p.m. — but the numbers didn’t seem to be swinging that way.

But, she said, that’s okay.

“I can’t be disappointed when I know I’ve run a campaign with integrity and answered constituents with honesty and conducted myself with dignity.”

She said she thinks many people think the economy and the environment are mutually exclusive and that the economy had to take precedence; the Green Party believes they’re inseparable.

It was a fairly subdued crowd of a handful of Wagner’s supporters who watched the televised results with the candidate at Brydens last night.

Wagner said he was pleased with the outcome, particularly since it was his foray into politics and his budget was significantly less than the other major parties’.

“We were starting from scratch,” he said.

Nevertheless, one of the roadblocks he faced was being new on the scene, he said.

The percentage of votes he received was consistent with his expectations, he said; there were no surprises.

Wagner said he believes it’s the NDP’s positive message that appealed to the residents who voted for him.

“… a message of hope and optimism and putting family first,” he said.

Christian Heritage Party candidate Tony Rodrigues wasn’t available for comment.