Businessman Andrew Saunders topped the poll in Douglas East as voters elected him alongside Manx Labour Party’s Joney Faragher, while DEFA Minister Clare Barber lost her seat after a decade in the House of Keys.
Saunders received 820 votes to secure one of the constituency’s two seats, while Faragher was returned for a second term with 682 votes.
In his election campaign, Saunders highlighted his background in business, including operating Quids Inn and Event Management Solutions, and campaigned on a platform focused on support for families, local businesses and government reform.
He said Douglas East needed an MHK who understood “real life”, was “straight talking” and prepared to challenge a government that “often costs too much and delivers too little”.
The battle for the second seat proved close, with Dave Mackey polling 632 votes but narrowly missing out on election.
Barber, who remains minister until a replacement is selected, had represented Douglas East since 2016. She finished fourth with 543 votes, ending a ten-year spell as an MHK.
Andrew Forster received 331 votes.
