Who’s running so far? Windsor-Essex candidates start federal campaigns

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One day after Prime Minister Mark Carney thrust Canada into a snap election — and amid a trade war with the United States — hopefuls across Windsor and Essex County began kicking off campaigns.

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On Monday morning, two local Liberal candidates gathered supporters at Windsor’s riverfront to officially launch their political pursuits, while an NDP incumbent began his campaign with supporters that afternoon.

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Election day is Monday, April 28.

“It’s time to build, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has said,” said Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal candidate for Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore.

“Prime Minister Carney has the experience, the leadership, the confidence and the calm to unite Canadians against this unjustified, unprovoked economic trade war that President Trump has unleashed on Canada and this community.”

Incumbent Kusmierczyk, 47, said Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods — some looming and some already imposed — is the No. 1 issue at the doors he’s knocked on over the last seven days.

“We’re laser-focused on defeating the unjust and unprovoked Trump tariffs against this country and against our community,” he said. “We’re focused on building the strongest economy in the G7 that’s going to work for all Canadians and all workers.”

Chris Sutton, 57, is the Liberal candidate for Essex. Sporting a cowboy hat and boots, the millwright said his desire to protect jobs — something he said he’s endeavoured to do as director of public affairs for the Millwright Regional Council — spurred his political ambitions.

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“More than anything, we need somebody that understands … how tariffs are going to affect workers,” Sutton said. “Now it’s time to make a change, and the only way to make that change is to get involved, to be part of it.

“I think we need a stronger voice that understands the industries around here. We need somebody that’s willing to stand up and speak for communities here.”

Brian Masse, the incumbent NDP candidate for Windsor West, launched his ninth run for office Monday night at his Walker Road campaign office.

“I think people know me, and they know that I’m a fighter, that I’m going to continue to make sure that I stand for the principles of Windsor West,” he said.

“And also, the files that I’ve worked on over the last number of years, whether it be the border, whether it be the environment, whether it be consumer rights issues, we’ve been able to get results for those things.”

Masse listed cost of living, cementing protection for Windsor’s Ojibway National Urban Park, dental care, and pharmacare as some of his priorities.

But he also said the “stakes are different” in this election because of Trump’s trade war and threats against Canadian sovereignty. The importance of fighting back against those hostilities cannot be overstated, he said

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“With me, you get a member who’s been investing a lot of my extra time on relationships in the U.S.,” said Masse.

“I’ve worked with different parties and different politicians over the years to get results on things. At the same time, when I need to, I’ll go into the combat zone. But every day, I get up to try to make things better.”

As of Monday, the following candidates had announced that they are running in Windsor-Essex ridings:

Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore

• Nick Babic — People’s Party of Canada
• Alex Ilijoski — New Democratic Party
• Irek Kusmierczyk — Liberal Party of Canada
• Mark McKenzie — Conservative Party of Canada

Windsor West

• Jacob Bezaire — People’s Party of Canada
• Harbinder Gill — Conservative Party of Canada
• Joey Markham — Communist Party of Canada
• Brian Masse — New Democratic Party

Essex

• Jason Henry — People’s Party of Canada
• Chris Lewis — Conservative Part of Canada
• Chris Sutton — Liberal Party of Canada
• Lori Wightman — New Democratic Party

tcampbell@postmedia.com

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