Photo: Contributed

Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Prentice has retained his seat of Calgary Foothills in the Alberta provincial election.

But he had to watch as his party was roundly defeated by the New Democrats, who will form a majority government.

Prentice first won his seat in a byelection in October after he was elected Tory leader to replace Alison Redford.

Prentice, 58, came to the provincial scene with a wealth of experience in federal politics.

He was first elected as an MP in Calgary in 2004 and was re-elected when the Conservatives won their first minority in 2006.

He served in several ministries, including Indian and Northern Affairs, Industry and Environment before leaving federal politics in 2010.