The NDP candidate for Essex got a boost Friday afternoon from a national figure with Windsor-Essex connections.
Unifor National President Jerry Dias spoke to about 100 people at a campaign rally for Tracey Ramsey at the Essex Centre Sports Complex. With mostly union members and their families in the crowd, Dias discussed how important it was for Essex to send Ramsey back to Ottawa, and for voters to reject the mudslinging of the Liberals and Conservatives.
Dias told media after the rally that Ramsey is the kind of person who is needed to fight for a region with a huge working-class population like Windsor-Essex.
"She's been a very, very strong voice on pushing the government, as I did, to putting into place a progressive trade deal with the new NAFTA," said Dias. "Is it perfect? God, no, we all know that, but it's a lot better than the original one."
Dias added that it's personal for him, having lived in Windsor for ten years when he was younger.
Ramsey, the incumbent, is in a tight race with Conservative challenger Chris Lewis, and the riding was previously represented on Parliament Hill by Jeff Watson of the Tories. During his talk, Dias said the NDP is a better fit for Essex than the Conservatives.
"I've worked with Tracey for the past four years in Ottawa," said Dias. "I know how well she's represented by the community of Essex County. She is a rock star. She delivered on her commitments to the people of Essex County, and she deserves another term, no question in my mind."
In addition to Lewis, the other candidates running in Essex are Audrey Festeryga of the Liberals, Bill Capes of the PPC, and Jennifer Alderson of the Green Party.
The federal election is Monday, October 21.