The opposition to the Tories in Alberta were hoping to gain some ground on Monday night, but by the time the votes were counted, that was not to be the case.

The PCs won all four of the contested ridings on Monday night, solidifying support for Premier Jim Prentice and making a big stride to putting to rest the scandal plaguing Alberta's ruling party.

Only one of the races was even close, with former Calgary school board trustee Sheila Taylor mustering about 4,500 votes to PC Mike Ellis' 4,800.

"I was very hopeful that I would be successful in Calgary-West," Taylor said on Monday night. "It was a very close outcome. My children are here tonight. My plan is to spend some time with them because I haven't seen them for four weeks."

Wildrose leader Danielle Smith also put on a brave face in the wake of her party's loss in the byelections. "Each of our candidates ran neck and neck with the PCs every step of the way and, although tonight didn't turn out as we had hoped, we have shown we are a clear alternative."

On Tuesday morning, Smith told CTV Morning Live that the Wildrose gave the PCs a good run despite coming into the ridings which, historically, were held by strong Tory MLAs and former Premiers.

"Calgary-West is where it all began with Peter Lougheed. Calgary-Elbow with two premiers - Redford and Klein, and Whitemud which was the home of Don Getty as well as Dave Hancock."

Smith says that with the election of four PC candidates, it's clear that Albertans are giving Premier Jim Prentice a chance to make things better.

However, she adds that the results are also very telling. "The PCs now have more people who voted against them in these ridings. More people are voting for an alternative even though they haven't decided what that alternative could be."

As for the party itself, Smith says the Wildrose learned a lot from the campaign. "We didn't gain ground, but we didn't lose ground either."

She also knows that the battleground will for the next election will be fought in the urban centres of Calgary and Edmonton.

A strong showing for the Alberta Party in the riding of Calgary-Elbow meant a big night for leader Greg Clark.

"I think there's a bright future for the Alberta Party," he said. "We finished a strong second in Calgary-Elbow. We have more votes than any other Alberta Party candidate in the history of our party. It's a big step in the right direction. What we're saying is there's a big generational change in Alberta politics happening."

The NDP also finished strong in the riding of Edmonton-Whitemud riding, proving early polls right.