The federal Conservative candidate for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex riding will be chosen this weekend.
Party members can cast ballots Friday night in Dresden, or Saturday in Strathroy to determine who will carry the Conservative banner in this fall's federal election.
Bev Shipley, who has represented the riding in Ottawa since 2006, announced last July that he will not seek re-election.
Candidate Nomination Committee Chair Eric Schatzler said six people are seeking the nomination.
"You know we've had a tremendous member of Parliament representing Lambton-Kent-Middlesex in Bev Shipley for the past 14 years," said Schatzler. "So all the candidates say that there are big shoes to fill, and I think they are all up to the task."
Schatzler said the nomination period closed February 14 with Pete Aarssen, Peter Cuddy, Greg Hetherington, Mattheu Kok, Bruce Lamb, and Lianne Rood being confirmed as candidates.
"All of them have expressed that ongoing desire to address the concerns of constituents in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex that are near and dear. We have topics of senior care, we have issues around the budget, general transparency in government-- there's lots to work on and there's never a dull moment," he said.
Voting will take place Friday at the Dresden Arena at 1212 North Street-- candidate speeches will begin at 6 p.m., and voting will follow with the balloting closing at 9 p.m. The second voting period will take place Saturday at the Portuguese Canadian Club at 375 York Street in Strathroy. Speeches will begin at 10 a.m., and voting will follow with the balloting closing at 2:30 p.m.
Schatzler said after the voting period Saturday, there'll be a special keynote speaker.
"Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party Lisa Raitt will be speaking at 2:30 p.m. and taking some questions from the floor," said Schatzler. "Then around 4 p.m., there's an up-and-personal time with Bev -- it's that intimate time where people get to ask him questions that you may not usually have an opportunity to ask him -- he's more than willing to have that conversation with us."
Schatzler said the riding's new Conservative candidate will likely be announced Saturday night at around 6 p.m.
The 43rd Canadian federal election is scheduled for October 21.