Gordon Opens Campaign Office with Tunes (and Speeches)

There were cupcakes with orange coloured icing, orange coloured punch, and, of course, oranges. So it must have been an NDP campaign event. 

James Gordon and staff officially opened their campaign office tonight offering a cozy atmosphere, light refreshments and some tunes in the old Alma Gallery space. Considering that Mayor Karen Farbridge used the space last fall in her successful re-election campaign bid, perhaps the Gordon crew are hoping the good karma will rub off. 

"It's new what we've got here," said Gordon kicking the night off in front of over 100 supporters and well-wishers, "It's democratic and it's a party."

Keeping that democratic spirit, Gordon introduced several key members of his campaign staff who then talked about their role in trying to colour Guelph orange on the electoral map this fall. Campaign manager Ravi Joshi said that he's going to do his part to make sure the Royal City elects an MPP that doesn't "bring Queen's Park to Guelph rather than send someone from Guelph to Queen's Park."

"James Gordon is a guy who can actually take our voice to Queen's Park and it's my job to amplify it," later added Communications Co-ordinator Erinn White. 

So far Gordon's off to a promising start. It was announced that to date, his campaign had raised $8,000 and there are already two more fundraisers scheduled to help carry him through to Election Day. Supporters were also encouraged to volunteer their time including helping out in the office and assisting the distribution of lawn signs.

Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, was also on hand for the opening. Angus played some music, along with the candidate himself, and local favourite Tannis Slimmon. "Suddenly it's okay to for a musician to be an MP, and it's okay to bring music to politics," cheered Gordon before he broke into his first song of the night.

Check out a few pictures from the evening's festivities below.