There are many new names and faces vying for the position of Member of Parliament for Windsor-West but it’s one of the only local ridings with an incumbent in the race.
Though the riding of Windsor-West has been held by the NDP for the last two terms, the riding also has a history of Liberal support. Sandra Pupatello represented the riding for the Liberal Party for 16 years from 1995-2011.
In the last provincial election in 2018, only 43.30 % of eligible voters cast a ballot.
Advance polls open on Thursday and run until May 28.
WindsorNewsToday.ca has collected information on each candidate running in Windsor-West in the upcoming election. You can find here information on their background, party platform, and links to their social media below.
Green Party candidate Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale
Green Party candidate for Windsor-West Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale.
Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale is running in Windsor-West for the Green Party of Ontario. She also ran for the Green Party in the 2018 Provincial Election. She is an activist for the environment, food security, and poverty reduction and the co-chair of the Windsor Essex Food Policy Council. Glovasky-Ridsdale works full-time as an essential employee.
The Green Party platform can be found here.
NDP candidate for Windsor-West Lisa Gretzky, (via Facebook).
Lisa Gretzky is once again vying for the seat in Windsor-West. She was first elected to provincial parliament in 2014 after serving two terms as a trustee on the Greater Essex County District School Board. As an MPP for the NDP she was the critic for community and social services. During the pandemic Gretzky created legislation to make sure residents of congregate care settings have access to designated essential and family caregivers.
The Ontario NDP platform can be found here. Gretzky can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
New Blue candidate Joshua Griffin
The Blue Party candidate for Windsor-West, Joshua Griffin.
Joshua Griffin is running in Windsor-West for the New Blue Ontario Party. He is a minister with the Church of Nazarene. Griffin is currently an independent chaplain and spiritual director. He also works with the Faculties of Nursing and Medicine as a standardized patient.
The New Blue Ontario party platform can be found here. Griffin can be found on Facebook.
Progressive Conservative candidate John Leontowicz
Progressive Conservative candidate for Windsor-West John Leontowicz.
John Leontowicz is running for the Progressive Conservative Party. Leontowicz was the Chief of Police for the LaSalle Police Service 21 years before retiring in January of 2021. Prior to being a part of the LaSalle police department, Leontowicz was a member of the RCMP.
The Progressive Conservative party platform can be found here. Leontowicz can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Liberal Party of Ontario candidate Linda McCurdy
The Liberal Party of Ontario Windsor-West candidate Linda McCurdy.
Running for the Liberal Party of Ontario in Windsor-West is Linda McCurdy. In 2019, McCurdy put her name forward to be the Liberal candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh in the federal election however, current MP Irek Kusmierczyk was given the nomination at that time. She has been a long time advocate for equity and diversity and is active in many community organizations. She is a criminal defense lawyer in the city.
The Liberal party platform can be found here. McCurdy can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Ontario Party candidate Jeremy Palko
Ontario Party candidate Jeremy Palko (via Facebook)
Jeremy Palko is running in Windsor-West for the Ontario Party. He is a single father of two boys who works and volunteers in the community. Palko is an engineer who works in the design and development of automotive and marine powertrain. In the last federal election, Palko ran as a candidate for the Christian Heritage Party. He said he decided to run in the provincial election because of the amount of government over reach witnessed over the last two years.
The Ontario Party platform can be found here. Palko can be found on Facebook and Twitter.