Fanjoy, a former businessman and environmentalist, knocked on tens of thousands of doors and raised more than $100,000 in the first weeks of campaigning. He said he consistently heard that people want change in the riding.

Anticipation hung in the air throughout the evening for the Liberal supporters of Carleton after early polling suggested Fanjoy was in the lead, with cheers erupting often from his crowd of supporters.

“My heart is filled with gratitude,” Fanjoy said, addressing his supporters briefly.

Fanjoy said he was grateful for the “remarkable efforts” of the hundreds of volunteers who have shown up for him, which have lifted his spirits since he started campaigning in 2023.

“I will never forget what this feels like,” Fanjoy said in an early speech. “This doesn’t happen without you.”

With 230 of 266 polls reporting in Carleton, Fanjoy was ahead by less than 2,000 votes.

Several volunteers and residents gathered to watch Fanjoy’s election night party at Manotick Legion, located next to Poilievre’s campaign office.

June and Bob Neske are two dedicated volunteers with Fanjoy’s campaign and former Conservative voters. They said they began swinging to the left after Carney won the Liberal leadership and focused on economic policy as one of their main concerns.

“When Mark Carney was looking like the guy who was looking to take over the part, I looked into him a lot more,” Bob said. “I realized we have the opportunity here to elect a brilliant economist who’s been in the government and what we need right now to deal with Donald Trump.”

The Neskes said Fanjoy was their “local guy” and the Liberal party was now a party that aligned most with what Canada needed right now.

“If Bruce wins, I’m going to cry,” Bob said. “We were more or less resigned to Pierre Poilievre.

It really swung to the point where we realized that we can win this riding.”

Bob said many residents in the Carleton riding are looking for a change in representation, an ironic contradiction to Poilievre’s campaign on change.

June said volunteers have placed hundreds of hours into canvassing for Fanjoy, especially in the final days leading up to election day.

“Every blister, every sore, everything, it’ll be worth it,” June said.

Fanjoy’s hard-fought campaign to defeat Poilievre drew attention and support from across the country with Carleton, to some, becoming a microcosm of the national race. Adding to the intensity, Nepean, the riding that borders Carleton, is where Liberal leader Mark Carney sought a seat.