Donna Harpauer is returning to the Saskatchewan Legislature for a fifth straight term, after voters cast their ballots in resounding fashion in support of the longtime Humboldt-Watrous MLA.

With her fourth win in Humboldt, Harpauer now becomes the longest serving member for Humboldt in the legislature. She began her political career in 1999 by winning the then Watrous riding.

She said Monday night after the victory that their plan for the economy pulled through.

"Our message was that it's all about the economy and I am so pleased that the Saskatchewan people understand it's all about the economy. We need to facilitate economic growth in our province and through the benefits of that growth we can pay for health care, education and social programs."

First elected in Humboldt in 2003, the Social Services Minister has kept Saskatchewan Party ties strong in the region after she took over for Arlene Julé.

With 51 seats overall, she believes the rural ridings are extremely key in the Sask Party's success.

"I think rural Saskatchewan understands agriculture is a huge player as is potash and oil, it's all in the rural areas and they are economic drivers so I think that shows that there's an understanding that the economy is the most important thing."

Harpauer expects to continue with her portfolio of Social Services Minister until the budget is tabled but she did expect some changes to the cabinet following that. That being said, she said it's time to get to work and put the budget on the table.

"We are going to have a very challenging budget there's no doubt. Oil prices have not changed a lot and so we've acknowledged that this is going to be a challenging budget and we've also announced we're going to be very mindful that it is about the economy and we need to bring back that budget to a non-deficit position."

The toughest challenger to Harpauer in 2016, yet still distant, was Humboldt's own Adam Duke, who was running for the first time. He talked about the youth within the NDP for this election.

"It's a good learning experience, we had a lot of first time candidates, including myself. We knew going in this was a good rebuild and getting some of that young energy in."

Gaining only two seats outside of Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert, Duke added that the party has a lot of work to do in rural constituencies.

"We definitely need to do a better job of speaking up for rural Saskatchewan, and that's a message that our party is going to be getting out of this, and I am excited to be part of a team that is going to be speaking up for rural Saskatchewan a little bit more."

The 28-year-old says that he will continue to work for what he believes in, and will seek better results in the future.

"This is my first campaign, it's not my last. It's four years, and life can take you lots of places, I hope it leads me back here, but I'm always open to whatever. I will always be speaking up for Humboldt."

Other east-central ridings are also remaining Sask Party green, including Kelvington-Wadena, where longtime MLA June Draude's momentum will be picked up by Hugh Nerlien, who will now represent the constituency.

Draude elected to not run in 2016, and had served the area since 1995.

In Melfort, former Mayor Kevin Phillips will return to the legislature. He was first elected in 2011, taking over for Rod Gantefoer.

Only one candidate has served the riding of Batoche after it branched into a new riding in 2003, and that will stay status quo after Delbert Kirsch picked up the win.

Back for the 28th general election is Arm River, after it was absorbed to create Arm River-Watrous for the 2007 election. Another longtime Sask Party MLA is headed back to the legislature, as Greg Brkich, who has served the riding since 1999, will return.

New on the scene for this year was Saskatoon-Stonebridge-Dakota, and it too was scooped up by Brad Wall's team, as Bronwyn Eyre will serve the area.

You can hear more from Harpauer as she spoke with Bolt FM's Clark and the Humboldt Journal's Rebecca Zimmer after she was declared a winner Monday.

Adam Duke joined Bolt FM's live election coverage with Clark Stork and Tyler Bieber. That interview can be heard below.