Liberal incumbent Larry Bagnell pulled off a sixth election victory Monday by a slim margin, proving the power of reputation in the minds of Yukon voters.

Bagnell beat Conservative candidate Jonas Smith by 164 votes, according to Tuesday morning’s preliminary official numbers.

The top two contenders hovered within five per cent of each other for three hours as votes were counted Monday evening, inducing anxiety on both sides.

The final polling station, which reported Bagnell as clutching the win by 72 votes, was posted by Elections Canada at 10:30 p.m.

The crowd of about 60 supporters gathered at Antoinette’s restaurant on Fourth Avenue erupted with chants, hugs and high-fives.

Bagnell arrived shortly after, eyes shining, clutching his two children –– Aurora, 10, and Dawson, seven.

When the booming chorus of cheers had died down, Bagnell addressed the closeness of the race.

“I’m amazed I got here without having a cardiac arrest,” he joked, earning a laugh from the room.

Bagnell, 69, said he looks forward to continuing the party’s work on renewable energy and “helping those in need” in the territory.

“Our victory here, and in Ottawa, makes sure we can carry on with that important work for our children.”

Then, he stopped, grasping a shivering piece of notepaper for several seconds.

“The reason I am pausing is I had more practised my losing speech,” he said. “I didn’t think we were going to win – as much as 20 minutes ago, I was still practising it.”

Bagnell noted his slim victory meant more than half of Yukon voters did not choose him at the polling stations.

“I want all Yukoners to know, no matter who you voted for, I support you,” he said.

“Don’t think that I don’t understand that a majority of you didn’t vote for me … but I’m here to serve all of you, and I’ll try to treat you all equally, as I always have.”

Speaking to reporters, Bagnell said he is anticipating a co-operative session in the House of Commons thanks to the pluralities in policy he feels the Liberals share with the Bloc Québécois, New Democrats, Green Party and Jody Wilson-Raybould, who will be the lone independent MP.

He said he hopes common ground will be found on matters concerning low-income Canadians, the environment and housing accessibility.

“Those are my three biggest priorities,” he said.

Bagnell added he was pleased to see the re-election of ex-Liberal Wilson-Raybould in Vancouver-Granville.

Following her expulsion from the Liberal caucus last spring, Wilson-Raybould ran without party affiliation.

“She’s got a good history in First Nations development in the West Coast,” Bagnell said. “She brings that background to Parliament, I think it’s very good, and her expertise to Parliament.”

Addressing party attendees, Bagnell pledged improvement from his party.

“We made some mistakes,” he said. “We didn’t live up to some things people wanted. I’m going to make sure we don’t make those mistakes again.”

In the Yukon, Bagnell said, the environment, housing and pharmacare seemed to sway the decision of a large number of voters on the left side of the political spectrum, while business interests seemed to sway the right.

Bagnell said he will strive to successfully balance the priorities of all Yukoners.

When asked if he expects this term to be his last in government, Bagnell jestingly responded that he wouldn’t answer such questions on election night.

He did say, however, that he looks forward to eventually spending more time with his children “while they’re growing up.”

Shortly after the final results came in, New Democrat candidate Justin Lemphers arrived at Antoinette’s to congratulate Bagnell on his re-election. Lemphers was the only candidate to do so.

Premier Sandy Silver, who attended the celebration at Antoinette’s, noted Bagnell’s track record of hard work for the territory.

“The biggest strength Larry has … to be able to open doors in Ottawa and yet be back here all the time; that’s a work ethic that is paramount,” Silver said.

“What I appreciate about Larry is he is so well-received from all the parties. He does the same thing in Ottawa that he does here: he meets people, he’s a listener, he’s a connector.”

Silver said Bagnell’s ability to connect across spectrums will be valuable to the minority government status his party faces in Ottawa.

“He’s one of those persons that transcends and can work with other parties,” Silver said. “It’s something we should all treasure.”

Silver added that his relationship with Bagnell has been “fantastic.”

The premier said he looks forward to continuing work with a like-minded member of Parliament who has such a long history representing the territory.

“He’s our Larry. He works for us,” said Silver, who was criticized by the Yukon Party for endorsing Bagnell shortly after the writ dropped last month.

Among Bagnell’s campaign supporters Monday night, excitement and fatigue were the predominant emotions.

“I’m exhausted, but I’m glad we got the result we got,” said Brad Weston, Bagnell’s campaign manager. “Tonight was the toughest part –– the wait, obviously.”

Weston, who has 10 years’ experience managing campaigns and is a long-time supporter of Bagnell, said his team focused on the incumbent’s track record and reputation on the campaign trail.

Alisha Khalik, who also worked on the campaign, agreed that she is “tired, but happy.”

Khalik said she has worked with Bagnell for several years and consistently supports his efforts for Yukoners.

Barbara Chamberlin, a supporter of the Liberal Party since she moved to the Yukon three decades ago, said she was “quite relieved” to see Bagnell pull out a victory.

“I was worried about a split vote, and now I know we can catch on and still be Liberal in the Yukon,” Chamberlin said.

“I really wanted Liberals, especially after what’s happening in the States.”

In his victory speech, Bagnell waxed appreciative.

“Yukoners are the greatest, and it’s such an honour to serve you all,” he said.

Bagnell worked for the federal government for many years in Whitehorse before taking a job with the Association of Yukon Communities.

Entering politics, he won the 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008 elections, lost to Conservative Ryan Leef in 2011, and regained the seat in 2015.