Elgin-St. Thomas-London South: Ex-radio host Andrew Lawton wins
Polls reported slowly Monday evening, but Lawton never lost his lead over his three opponents in Elgin-St. Thomas-London South – a riding slightly recast and renamed from the former Elgin-Middlesex-London – including Liberal rival David Goodwin.
At around 11:10 p.m., applause erupted among about 75 people gathered at an election party at the Columbus Club in St. Thomas amid news the riding had been called for Lawton, a former radio host.
Cheers erupted again about five minutes later when Lawton arrived with his wife, a London Free Press employee. Lawton greeted supporters before making his way to the front of the room.
'The people have spoken,' Lawton said. 'This is the honour of a lifetime to be able to serve our riding, to serve our community and to serve our country in the next parliament.'
In his speech, Lawton lamented the evening as 'bittersweet,' noting the projected Conservative second-place finish nationwide. Postmedia's decision desk projected Mark Carney's Liberals would form the next government.
Lawton commended his opponents, lauding New Democrat Paul Pighin for his advocacy of marginalized communities, People's Party candidate Stephen Campbell for having the 'courage to put his name on a ballot' and Liberal Goodwin for stressing the importance of 'local and community representation in politics.'
Goodwin, the only candidate with a real shot to beat Lawton, thanked his volunteers and supporters, acknowledging it was a difficult riding for a Liberal to win.
'I'm very proud of the campaign we ran, and am grateful to our volunteers and supporters,' Goodwin said by email . 'We knew it was an uphill battle, this being a conservative stronghold. It was a great experience.'
Lawton continues a legacy of Conservative representation in the area. Before Elgin-St. Thomas-London South was created, Elgin-Middlesex-London was held by Joe Preston, now St. Thomas' mayor, from 2004; Karen Vecchio succeeded Preston in 2015 and retired after a decade in politics..
'I will fight for this country and you will always have an advocate for freedom as long as I am your member of Parliament,' Lawton told supporters Monday night.
Lawton overcame controversy from his past comments to claim victory. It comes seven years after an unsuccessful 2018 for Ontario's Progressive Conservatives in London West.
bwilliams@postmedia.com
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