As the federal election campaign gets underway, one local candidate is being forced to campaign from home for the time being after suffering serious injuries.
According to a statement put out Wednesday night by the Essex Conservative Association, Conservative candidate Chris Lewis, running in the riding of Essex, was treated Tuesday evening for injuries suffered in an accident.
"At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, Chris Lewis suffered a serious accident and was rushed to Leamington District Hospital with critical injuries," read the statement, signed by Lewis' campaign manager Richard Tapping. "He received treatment for two broken ribs and a serious puncture wound requiring 22 stitches."
It was not disclosed exactly how the mishap occurred, but the statement went on to say that Lewis was released from the hospital and will continue to recover at home.
"Mr. Lewis... spoke with Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer [Tuesday] night to reiterate his commitment to running in this election," read the statement. "He will continue on as the Conservative candidate, and is focused on standing up for the people of Essex to ensure they can get ahead, not just get by."
The statement said Lewis will campaign from home until he is medically cleared to resume door-to-door campaigning.
Lewis, who unsuccessfully ran for MPP in last year's provincial election, is up against NDP incumbent Tracey Ramsey, People's Party of Canada candidate William Capes, and Liberal nominee Audrey Festeryga, who tweeted out a message of support Wednesday night.
https://twitter.com/AudreyFesteryga/status/1171922587909271552
