Matthew Rae, who has served one term as MPP, is looking to keep his position in this expansive rural Ontario riding that covers Perth County, the Town of Minto, and the townships of Mapleton and Wellington North.
Seven candidates are contesting the seat in Perth-Wellington:
Jason Davis, NDP. Ashley Fox, Liberal. James Montgomery, New Blue Party. Ian Morton, Green. Matthew Rae, Progressive Conservatives (incumbent). Rob Smink, Freedom Party of Ontario. Sarah Zenuh, Ontario Party.
Jason Davis is representing the NDP and works as a diesel technician. He owns Stratford Comic Stop and co-founded Stratford Affordable Housing Alliance while serving as a director for Mikinaak Community Land Trust.
Ashley Fox is the Liberal candidate and works as a registered practical nurse; she serves as a nurse case manager and community outreach coordinator at Promyse Home Care. This marks her second time running for the Liberals in this riding.
James Montgomery represents the New Blue Party and is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces who continues mentoring youth through cadet programs. He’s also involved in auto manufacturing where he teaches skilled trades; he ran for council in Stratford back in 2022.
Ian Morton is the Green candidate and has experience teaching along with volunteering on various city committees in Stratford including chairing both the energy and environment committee and serving as vice-chair on active transportation advisory committee. He also sought a council seat in Stratford during 2022.
Matthew Rae is currently representing Progressive Conservatives after winning his seat back in 2022. Before his election, he worked on his family’s dairy farm near Harriston and held positions working for former MPP Randy Pettapiece as well as current Perth-Wellington MP John Nater. During his first term, Rae was involved in two parliamentary assistant roles: most recently with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing followed by work with the Minister of Education.
Rob Smink has been running for the Freedom Party of Ontario since 1985 across all provincial elections. The ex-salesman from St. Marys uses these campaigns to highlight issues such as federal carbon tax policies, COVID measures, and conspiracy theories regarding chemtrails – which experts have labeled baseless.
Sarah Zenuh represents the Ontario Party; she lives in Stratford where she operates Oh For Fish Sake Designs after previously working as an early childhood educator.
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Riding history
The Perth-Wellington riding was established back in 2003 from parts of three existing ridings: Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey, Perth-Middlesex, and Waterloo-Wellington ridings. Liberal John Wilkinson was elected to serve from 2003 until 2011. Progressive Conservative Randy Pettapiece took over from there winning elections until he chose not to run again in 2022 when Rae claimed victory for that seat.Source link
