NDP candidates Simon Strelchik (Thornhill), Michael Seaward (Newmarket-Aurora) and Wess Dowsett (Richmond Hill) in Richmond Hill as they await election results..
If you happen to be Archibald's Pub and notice a party for the New Democrats in tonight's election, tug on the arm of Richmond Hill candidate Wess Dowsett, and you might be able to score a free pint.Speaking to Mr. Dowsett from the pub where he hopes to celebrate an election victory, he remains tight lipped as far as his predictions go, but said his "man of the people" image has only grown through this election. "I was a little surprised going door to door, the number of people who recognized me from before was really large and they were very interested and receptive to my message," Mr. Dowsett said, who also ran in the 2006 election. "I really can't make a prediction, but I am expecting to improve on my results from the last election and I am excited at the prospect of a closer race than in previous years," he added. In 2006 Mr. Dowsett finished third among four candidates, racking up more than 10 per cent of Richmond Hill riding votes. He remains confident, but also applauded the efforts of his opposing candidates and touched upon the issue of election sign vandalism that affected him personally this weekend. Conservative candidate Chungsen Leung had signs stolen and defaced with with markings of "Vote NDP". "We have all suffered a bit of that this election, but I have spoken with Chungsen about it and we obviously had no hand in what happened to his signs. All of the candidates have enjoyed a high level of professional courtesy throughout this campaign," Mr. Dowsett said.
Adam Mc Lean
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