ROCKLAND – History was made Monday night as Liberal candidate Giovanna Mingarelli became the first woman ever elected to represent Prescott–Russell–Cumberland in the House of Commons. Her victory caps off a tightly contested campaign against Conservative challenger Julie Séguin and ensures the newly redrawn riding remains in Liberal hands.

According to Elections Canada’s preliminary results released Tuesday morning, Mingarelli secured 38,392 votes, representing 54.56 per cent of ballots cast.

Séguin placed second with 28,422 votes (40.39 per cent), while the NDP’s Ryder Finlay was third with 1,710 votes (2.43 per cent).

Thaila Riden (Green Party, 842 votes), Deborah Perrier (People’s Party PPC, 767 votes), and Jason St. Louis (Independent, 239 votes) completed the field of candidates.

The riding, created through recent boundary adjustments, incorporates much of the former Glengarry–Prescott–Russell riding and includes communities such as Rockland, Clarence-Rockland, Russell Township, Hawkesbury, and surrounding areas. It also includes parts of Cumberland, bringing together a diverse mix of urban, rural, anglophone, and francophone voters.

Mingarelli, a former technology entrepreneur and advisor on public engagement, ran a campaign that emphasized grassroots connection, youth involvement, and defence of francophone minority rights. With the endorsement of outgoing Liberal MP Francis Drouin, who held the former riding for nearly a decade, she positioned herself as a strong local advocate ready to carry forward a legacy of representation.

“This campaign was always about bringing people together,” Mingarelli said during her victory speech in Rockland. “We’ve proven that when you lead with empathy, vision, and respect for our shared values, people respond.”

Mingarelli pledged to maintain constituency offices in both Rockland and Hawkesbury, vowing to be accessible and visible throughout the riding. She also committed to advocating for stronger representation of official languages in cabinet, citing it as a top concern heard repeatedly at the doorstep.

Julie Séguin, a Hawkesbury councillor and former parliamentary assistant to Conservative MP Pierre Lemieux, ran a spirited campaign focused on cost-of-living issues, rural infrastructure, and economic development. Her message resonated in parts of the riding where concerns about inflation, housing, and healthcare access are front of mind.

As results trickled in Monday night, the race narrowed considerably, particularly in rural polls. However, strong Liberal support in Rockland, Clarence-Rockland, and Russell Township ultimately tipped the balance in Mingarelli’s favour.

While Séguin did not concede publicly on election night, she thanked her supporters in a social media post, congratulating Mingarelli and emphasizing the importance of continuing to fight for rural voices in federal politics.

Mingarelli’s win keeps the riding under Liberal representation at a time when the party, now led by newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, continues to govern with a minority mandate. Her success is also symbolically significant: not only is she the first woman to represent the area federally, but she arrives in Ottawa at a time when representation, diversity, and public trust in politics are under intense scrutiny.

Analysts say her background in technology and civic engagement could bring a fresh perspective to Parliament, particularly on issues involving youth policy, digital governance, and democratic renewal.

For voters in Prescott–Russell–Cumberland, Mingarelli’s win reflects both a continuity of Liberal support and a shifting political landscape where new voices, especially those with strong community ties, are being heard.