Mayor of Lucan Biddulph Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, has been named the next Ontario Liberal candidate for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Burghardt-Jesson is in her third-term as Mayor, first getting elected in 2014. She is also in her third-term as Warden of Middlesex County.
“Unlike the Ford Conservatives, Cathy has spent over a decade squarely focused on serving families and being their strong voice on municipal councils,” said Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. “I am thrilled to have Cathy on our team, and I look forward to welcoming her to Queen’s Park where she will build on her advocacy for rural Ontario.”
She will face off against Conservative candidate Chatham-Kent councillor Steve Pinsonneault in the upcoming byelection to replace former MPP Monte McNaughton, who has joined Woodbine Entertainment.
The NDP has yet to name a candidate, as its nomination meeting will take place on Thursday.
“The Ford Conservatives have consistently operated behind closed doors and failed to consult with municipalities and everyday Ontarians in rural Ontario,” said Burghardt-Jesson. “Our local priorities are being paved over by Doug Ford, and we are not getting the investments in roads, healthcare, and education that our community deserves. I am thrilled to join Bonnie Crombie’s team and look forward to getting to work on day one to be the strong partner that rural Ontario deserves.”
The byelection to replace McNaughton has to be called before the end of March - six months after he resigned.