Longfield to Carry Liberal Banner for Guelph in Fall Election

They may not have been first, but many eyes were on the Liberal Party's Guelph membership to see who they would be nominating to succeed Frank Valeriote as their nominee in Guelph. Three people submitted their names for the chance to run for the Liberals in this fall's federal election. By the time it was all said and done, former Guelph Chamber of Commerce President Lloyd Longfield came out on top, but if there was a unifying tone amongst all the potential Liberal nominees it was that they're very convinced that Stephen Harper is going down this October. 

The first candidate into the race, Longfield, was also the first to speak touting his background working with the business community and his commitment to social justice issues. Burcher cited her success as a municipal politician in building consensus, and then Powell directed her comments to the Harper government's devaluing of science and evidence-driven policy decisions. Each speech worked to the nominee's strength, but after brief remarks from all concerned, it was time for voting by preferential ballot, and in the end Longfield emerged victorious.

Here's the official press release from the Liberal Party's Guelph Riding Association officially announcing Longfield as the nominee: 

Guelph — Last night, local members of the Liberal party selected longtime Guelph resident and community leader Lloyd Longfield to carry the party banner as the Liberal party candidate in the next General Election.

“I am truly honoured to have been chosen by members of our community to stand as the local Liberal candidate for Guelph,” said Longfield. “The tremendous turnout at last night’s nomination meeting signals that residents are eager to be part of an inclusive and community-focused Liberal campaign, and my top priority is to build upon that momentum to help make Guelph an even more, economically prosperous and environmentally sustainable city.”

Over 1000 Guelphites signed up as Liberal party members to have their say in choosing the city’s local candidate for the upcoming federal election. Hundreds of residents gathered last night at the Hanlon Convention Centre to hear from candidates and cast their vote in the open nomination process.

“As a local business leader, Lloyd has the skills and experience to continue moving Guelph forward and to help make our community the very best it can be,” said Frank Valeriote, Guelph’s current Liberal Member of Parliament. “Lloyd cares deeply about our city, and now more than ever we need a strong voice for Guelph. Lloyd offers exactly the kind of representation we need to stand up to Stephen Harper’s unresponsive and undemocratic agenda.”

The General Election is expected to be held in the fall of 2015.

Check out the videos from the nominees' speeches below.