NDP Announces Nomination Meet for October 22

Despite the ongoing controversies, the Ontario Liberals are holding on to power with a vice-like grip. Still, the opposition parties continue to jockey as if an election is in the immediate future, and the local NDP is looking to lock up their candidate in the Royal City.

Below is the press release from the local NDP riding association announcing the where and when and how of their nomination meeting, and the appearance of some special guests.

The Guelph NDP will choose their candidate in the next provincial election at a nomination meeting on Tuesday, October 22nd, 6:30pm at the Guelph Civic Museum. James Gordon, who ran for the NDP in the 2011 provincial election, is seeking the nomination. In 2011, Gordon finished a close third with 24% of total votes cast.

The local riding association is hoping to capitalize on a wave of momentum for the NDP in southwestern Ontario. In the past year, the NDP has won by-elections in Kitchener-Waterloo, London West, and Windsor-Tecumseh. Jon Beharry, campaign manager for James Gordon, suggests the victories “show momentum for the NDP in southwestern Ontario. We’ve seen what happens when voters connect with strong local candidate and Andrea Horwath's leadership on homecare, youth employment and financial accountability. It's a great signal for what we hope to accomplish here in Guelph.”

Catherine Fife, who won a surprising by-election victory last fall to become the first-ever NDP MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo, will be the guest speaker at the nomination meeting.

Gordon says that he hopes to build on his previous experience in the 2011 provincial election by creating “an exciting, effective campaign, built from a grassroots level that is local, inclusive, and accessible to all. I plan to run a campaign that will resonate with voters of all political stripes, engaging the large percentage of our citizens who have until now not felt that there was any point in voting at all.”

Cecilie Rosairus, President of the Provincial Guelph NDP Riding Association, says that the Executive conducted an extensive candidate search in accordance with party policy. She also notes that since Gordon announced his candidacy on September 12th, “We’ve heard so much excitement from members that James is seeking the nomination again.”

For more information, contact the Guelph NDP riding association at info@guelphndp.ca.