Newly elected MPP Steve Pinsonneault thanked his supporters in a lengthy social media post, following his by-election victory last week in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
“I would like to thank Emery Huszka who was (instrumental) in getting me to sign up and compete for the nomination process,” Pinsonneault wrote.
“My life will be forever changed. Kevin and Kim Bell for organizing the bus to get people up to Strathroy to vote. I would like to thank Monte McNaughton for coming to the victory party and passing the Progressive torch off to me. He (endorsed) me all the way through, canvassed with me and gave me advise weekly. His help in this victory was monumental and very much appreciated.”
Pinsonneault added: “Thanks to Barb and Bev Shipley, Bill and Dianne Parks, Peter and Dinna Twangstra who all help meet and greets. I worked extremely hard to win this election but I couldn’t have done it without the help of my team. I had dedicated and focused volunteers who kept things moving forward every day, going to doors, meeting voters, installing signs and all the things you need to do to make a campaign successful. Thanks to all the residents who displayed my sign in their yard.”
Pinsonneault thanked Melanie Calandra, for keeping him motivated throughout the whole process.
“She has a winning pedigree and it showed in this election,” he wrote.
“Rob Bruette and the riding association were extremely helpful. Mitch Baker, Dan Munro and Cam Trepanier kept the shop running while I was away. My brother Brad who looked after the car wash while I was away. He is the one person who I have been able to count on my entire life. My children Katie, Nick and Julia who all helped canvass. Julia did an awesome speech and made me a scrapbook that I will treasure my entire life. Thanks to the Optimist club for running the bar and the food. The Ontario PC Caucus with too many MPP’s to mention came down to canvass. Kara Carther canvassed with me every day. She has great work ethic and represented me well at the doors. Peter Turkington my campaign manager worked extremely hard to help me be successful.”
Pinsonneault added: “Last but not least my better half Jodie. She was committed to helping me be successful right from the beginning and never stopped believing in me. She canvassed every weekend, was with me (through) the highs and the lows of the campaign, she would always say you got this, I’m so blessed to have her in my life. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings. In closing thanks to all the voters who came out to support me.”
It was a convincing win for the PC Party of Ontario candidate in the by-election held on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Elections Ontario officials say the Thamesville resident and veteran Chatham-Kent Councillor gathered 15,649 votes, good for 56.85% of the vote.
He won the election by 9,441 votes more than the second place finisher Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, the Ontario Liberal Party candidate, who gathered 6,208 votes, or 22.55% of the overall vote total.
Kathryn Shailer, the Ontario NDP candidate, finished third with 2,973 votes, or 10.80%.
Keith Benn, the New Blue Party candidate, was next with 1,513 votes, or 5.50%, followed by Andraena Tilgner, the candidate for the Green Party of Ontario, 429 votes or 1.56%, Stephen R. Campbell, the candidate for the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party, 360 votes or 1.31%, Cynthia Workman, the Ontario Party candidate, 310 votes or 1.13%, and Hilda Walton, the Family Rights candidate, 87 votes or 0.32%.
Elections Ontario officials say the voter turnout came in at 30.25%, as there were 90,993 registered electors.
