"Let's be clear, from day one, I've worked for some very special interests. I've worked for you," he said.

In his concession speech, Maves brought up those criticisms, saying his team put up a good fight but couldn't compete with the NDP's spending power.

"This is a tough loss, it's hard to fight against that kind of money," said Maves, who accused Gates of trucking 700 union workers to mobilize voters throughout the riding. "We fought with local troops."

He did, however, give Gates credit.

"I'd like to also congratulate Wayne, he's got a very tough task ahead of him in trying to right the Niagara ship, I wish him luck," said Maves, who ended his concession speech with a warning for Gates.

"We'll see you again soon," said Maves, hinting that he will take another kick at the can in the widely expected spring election.

Morocco was upbeat despite her third-place finish.

"This has been the best experience of my life," she said to a throng of cheering supporters. "I got a chance to meet some really fabulous people. We fought the good fight. I stand her proud to say we fought a clean fight. I played by the rules."

Morocco was referring to a Liberal party complaint that the NDP was in violation of election financing rules when a billboard showing leader Andrea Horwath was changed to one featuring Horwath and Gates during what they claimed was an election advertising blackout period.

Morocco made no reference to Gates in her speech to supporters but said Niagara Falls riding voters will soon see they will be on the outside looking in.

"People will soon realize the person they just elected is going to be sitting on the backbenches."

Morocco was never able to gain any traction, despite campaign help from Premier Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Health and Long Term Care Deb Matthews and federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

Green Party candidate Clark Bitter and a host of fringe party candidates and an independent never were a factor in the race.

Morocco wasn't the only one getting help from high profile politicos. Both Horwath and Tory leader Tim Hudak made several appearances with their chosen candidates throughout the campaign.

— Files by Melinda Cheevers, James Culic and Richard Hutton