PARRY SOUND — Former Federal Minister of Agriculture Andy Mitchell was not re-elected in his riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka after losing a real nail-biter.

He lost by 28 votes to Conservative Tony Clement in the Jan.23 federal election following two recounts. The first count showed that Clement had won by 21 votes.

Mitchell, who had a 20-year career in banking before being first elected as an MP in 1993, held the ministerial post for about 18 months. Before him, Liberal MP Bob Speller was Minister of Agriculture. However, he lost his seat in Haldimand-Horfolk to Conservative Diane Finley in the 2004 election.