Several hundred supporters gathered at the Riviera Parque Banquet and Convention Centre to celebrate Maurizio Bevilacqua’s resounding victory in the race for the mayor of Vaughan.

Bevilacqua, the former MP for Vaughan, defeated incumbent Linda Jackson after just one term by more than 50 per cent of the votes. Bevilacqua finished with a total vote of 45,049, while Linda Jackson polled 10,166 votes, and Mario Racco finished third with 10,134 votes.

Joshua Freeman, a reporter for the Vaughan Today, told The Observer an official announcement wasn’t made at the victory party, but “they (televisions at the venue) were showing his numbers and everyone began to assume he had won.”

According to Freeman, Bevilacqua didn’t arrive until after the results showed a landslide victory. When he did enter the hall his supporters reacted.

“When he walked in… people went nuts,” Freeman said. “Everyone here is very supportive and the mood is very high.”

Freeman reported that Bevilacqua spoke of optimism in his victory speech. “Tomorrow (will) be a better day,” he said. “It’s going to bring change to Vaughan.”

Freeman also spoke briefly with Bevilacqua, who reiterated the main points of the speech, his overall goal to unite the city of Vaughan and added, “He feels great.”