Voters in Elgin-Middlesex-London chose to maintain the status quo with a Progressive Conservative MPP, this time with a new face in the seat.
Progressive Conservative Rob Flack won the vacant seat in the urban-rural riding during Ontario's 43rd general election Thursday evening with 51 per cent of the vote. Runner up was New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Andy Kroeker, who lost by a margin of over 14,000 votes. In third was Liberal candidate and former St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson, followed by New Blue candidate Matt Millar.
This election marked the first open race for the riding since 2011, when former PC MPP Jeff Yurek took the seat, previously held by Steve Peters of the Liberals. In January, Yurek announced he would not be seeking re-election and shortly after, Flack was nominated as the PC candidate for the riding.
Speaking with LondonNewsToday.ca Thursday evening after his acceptance speech, Flack acknowledged that he has big shoes to fill following Yurek's departure, but said he is looking forward to getting to work.
"The big focus [this term] is going to be rebuilding the economy post-pandemic," Flack said "It's going to be about building infrastructure in our healthcare system, it's going to be about making sure workers have skilled trades in place to fill the jobs that are immediately available today."
Flack, who has a background in agriculture and business, has called Dorchester home for nearly 30 years. Last fall, he tried his hand at federal politics during Canada's 44th general election, but was defeated in London West by Liberal candidate and former London city councillor Arielle Kayabaga. This time around, Flack said his campaign was a much more positive experience.
"The fall campaign got divisive. I didn't like that, it wasn't fun,” Flack said "This riding frankly, suits me because of my agriculture background, small towns, the whole riding. Elgin-Middlesex is my home. " Flack said.
Flack has been the president and CEO of Masterfeeds Inc. since 1993. He also serves as the vice-president of the Canadian Hereford Association while also operating his family cattle farm, Dorbay Polled Herefords.
Flack joins the PC caucus as it heads into its second majority government under Doug Ford.
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