With eight months until Ontarians go to the polls, a former federal MP has formally launched his bid to be on the ballot.
Ed Holder, a past Conservative cabinet minister, announced Friday that he is seeking the nomination to be the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario’s candidate in London West, the riding he represented federally for seven years.
After promising a “major political announcement,” Holder told a group of Londoners at Byron’s Hermitage Club that he wanted to enter provincial politics to continue to serve his community.
Holder appeared in-studio on AM980’s The Andrew Lawton Show after the announcement, telling host Andrew Lawton that issues under provincial jurisdiction are often the most directly relevant to people.
“When you think of the issues that impact Londoners on a daily basis — things like healthcare, things like education, things like paying their bills and energy bills, really basic things — those are provincial issues,” he said. “Honestly, when I looked at where I might have an opportunity to serve based on my past experience, if folks from London West, who I know well — I know the riding well — feel I’m worthy and would like to give me the opportunity, then I would like to serve.”
London West, currently held by New Democratic Party Member of Provincial Parliament Peggy Sattler, is viewed as a key riding in both provincial and federal politics, given its demographic make-up.
Holder was first elected in 2008, unseating longtime Liberal MP Sue Barnes by 2,100 votes. He easily won re-election in 2011 and was named Minister of State for Science and Technology in 2014 before he was upset by current Liberal MP Kate Young in the 2015 election.
The PC party hasn’t yet set a date for the nomination, which is also being sought by Thames Valley District School Board Trustee Jake Skinner. Skinner has been campaigning for the post August of 2016, signing up members.
Earlier in the week, Skinner told AM980 that while he respects Holder’s experience, he won’t be stepping aside.
“We think that our chances of winning are pretty high and we don’t see to bend the knee or anything like that. Personally, it’s going to be a very exciting race — it’s going to be like Ed Holder as the old lion and then our team and myself as the young lion,” he said.
Holder said he hopes people will look at his private and public sector experience, as well as his work with charities and non-profits, when deciding whether he deserves the nomination, and potentially a seat as an MPP.
“I hope people will look at that and say, ‘You know what, if I’ve got to cast a ballot somewhere, he might be a good choice.’ I hope they’ll think that,” he said.
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London West is the last riding in London to not have a PC candidate, with incumbent Jeff Yurek seeking re-election in Elgin—Middlesex—London, former federal MP Susan Truppe running in London North Centre, and insurance advisor Eric Weniger carrying the party banner in London—Fanshawe.
The Liberals have no confirmed candidates in London.
The next provincial election is slated for June 7, 2018.
With files from Devon Peacock.