The new Conservative candidate for a local riding is making "listening" his top priority moving forward.
Dave Epp's nomination as the new federal Conservative Party candidate for the Chatham-Kent-Leamington riding was recently approved by the party after he won a four-way battle to replace Dave Van Kesteren, who decided not to seek re-election.
Epp, a Leamington-area farmer, said the riding broke records for total members this year, adding it's a testament to both the candidates and the voters.
"The amount of engagement that Chatham-Kent-Leamington showed in showing up for the votes," Epp said. "It is a good sign going into the next year and next election."
Epp said his first priority is also the second promise he made.
"The first promise I made was to represent this whole riding," Epp said. "The second promise I made, and my top priority, will be to listen. I was speaking to the conservatives, but I am going to extend that pledge now to everyone living here. When I am in Ottawa that will be my intent."
Epp admits he doesn't know everything about all the issues in the riding, but that is where listening will be key. He added those who know him know he goes all-in when he takes a project on, and being the conservative representative for Chatham-Kent-Leamington will be no different.
This isn't Epp's first rodeo in the world of politics. In 1988, Epp was elected to the district committee of the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers.
"So I have represented my peers in that industry for over 30 years," Epp said. "I've had the opportunity so serve with the province as well, on the Agricore board of directors for seven and a half years."
Epp said once the dust settles a bit on his win he will be getting out into the community and looks forward to meeting people and creating long-lasting relationships.