Megan Leslie loses to Liberal Andy Fillmore in Halifax

One of the New Democratic Party's most powerful incumbents has gone down to defeat to the Liberals in the riding of Halifax.

Deputy NDP leader Megan Leslie has been swept aside by urban planner Andy Fillmore. In a speech to supporters she congratulated Fillmore on his win and said her team ran a "practically flawless" campaign, even as she acknowledged disappointment in her loss.

She also credited NDP Leader Tom Mulcair with taking "principled positions."

And despite the drubbing the party took across the country Monday night, she said the NDP remains a movement that works for social, environmental and economic justice.

"The Conservatives were trying to divide us with fear and the Liberals were trying to stoke misunderstandings about national unity and while this was happening, Tom Mulcair was trying to bring us together," Leslie said.

"I have worked closely with Tom and he is a man of principle. He cares about social, economic and environmental justice the way that we do. He wants to realize it for our country and I'm proud that I got to be a member his team."

The riding was the focus of a last minute push by Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who campaigned in Halifax on Saturday and urged party faithful to get family and friends out to the polls.

The riding has been held for nearly two decades by the NDP, ever since former New Democrat leader Alexa McDonough won in 1997. She was followed by Leslie in 2008.

During the campaign Leslie faced not only a tough re-election battle, she was also tending to her ailing mother in Ontario.