The move is a vindication for Thibeault, who was widely criticized for defecting in the middle of his federal mandate as NDP MP for Sudbury.
His win is despite the fact that the way Thibeault's nomination was secured angered many voters in the city.
The Liberals bypassed a nomination process in favour of a star candidate, in the former NDP MP. But in doing so, they incurred the wrath of the Sudbury riding association, who quit in protest, and, apparently, the voters, who opted to punish the Liberals for hijacking the process.
Thibeault captured 41.2 per cent of the vote with 10,626 votes.
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