A Windsor City Council candidate is endorsing one of his rivals, days before the municipal election.
Martin Utrosa, a candidate for councillor in Ward 5, announced Thursday afternoon that he will be suspending his own campaign and encouraging his supporters to vote for Ward 5 competitor Joey Wright. The surprise endorsement comes four days before Windsor voters select a mayor, city councillors and school board trustees.
Utrosa and Wright are two of the five candidates challenging Ward 5 incumbent Ed Sleiman. Utrosa told supporters and media at his campaign headquarters in the Ford City neighbourhood that he is standing aside to prevent vote-splitting among challengers, something he believed gives incumbents an edge.
"When there is more than one challenger, this advantage increases for the incumbent, as those who wish to see change will end up dividing their votes between the many challengers," said Utrosa. "As a Windsorite, I want to see change."
This was Utrosa's first foray into municipal politics, while Wright is taking another shot at the Ward 5 seat, losing to Sleiman in 2014. Wright said he is accepting an endorsement from someone who has a similar platform.
"Martin and I strongly disagree with the mega-hospital decision and agree that homelessness, public transit, mental health and drug addiction are problems that need to be addressed sooner rather than later," said Wright.
Utrosa said in the final days of the campaign he will continue to sound off on issues pertinent to those in Ward 5, and if he decides to knock on some more doors, he will encourage residents to support Wright on Monday. However, Utrosa's name will still appear on the ballot.
In addition to Utrosa and Wright running as challengers against Sleiman, the other three on the Ward 5 ballot, according to the city of Windsor, are Adam Castle, Lillian Kruzsely and Joe Lucier.
Windsor Ward 5 city council candidates Martin Utrosa, left, and Joey Wright place a Wright campaign button on Utrosa's dog after Utrosa endorsed Wright, October 18, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.