The Saskatchewan NDP will keep their former leader’s riding.

This after former educational assistant Nathanial Teed won Monday night’s by-election with 2,624 votes compared to Kim Groff of the Saskatchewan Party who received 1,712 votes.

Teed becomes Saskatchewan’s first openly gay MLA in 117 years.

“This election is our build toward 2024. I think we have a lot of excitement tonight. Folks are excited about our message, and they were resonating with what we were saying. So, I think the work is going to be tough, but we’re going to do the work, we’re going to get down to the table and meet people and hear their concerns,” said Teed.

Teed beat out four other candidates including Groff, Mark Friesen of the Buffalo Party, Jeff Walters of the Liberals and Jacklin Andrews of the Green Party.

The riding became vacant after former NDP Leader Ryan Meili announced he would be stepping down as leader in February and then in the spring announced that he would also be resigning as MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin.