Tensely close, the race for Sudbury in today’s provincial election went to NDP incumbent Jamie West, who secured his third-successive win.
Local NDP supporters gathered at Trevi Bar and Grill, where they watched results roll in on televisions shortly after the polls closed at 9 p.m.
Having secured his third mandate as Sudbury’s MPP according to preliminary results (he was up a couple-thousand votes up from his closest opponent, Progressive Conservative Max Massimiliano), West made his appearance to cheers at approximately 10:15 p.m..
“Sudbury now has a mandate for affordable rent, affordable groceries, affordable bills, and I’m going to fight like hell to get that done,” he told supporters.
Thanking volunteers, office staff and voters, he said he had “no idea” how the night was going to pan out, but that they all contributed to his campaign’s success.
In conversation with Sudbury.com shortly after his brief remarks, West reiterated the notion that the election could have gone either way in Sudbury.
(At the time of publication, 87/90 polls in Sudbury had reporting, revealing West with 14,459 votes and Massimiliano with 12,018)
So, what pushed West over the edge of this neck-and-neck race?
“It’s all speculation, but I think when Doug Ford lied about me being present and not showing up, I think that motivated a lot of people to get out and vote,” West said. “I’m well-known for going to all the events and being visible, and if you look at my social media you’ll see reel after reel of me asking questions.”
(Following the Progressive Conservative leader’s Sudbury campaign stop last weekend, West criticized Ford for “lying” about both his and Nickel Belt NDP candidate France Gélinas’ attendance records. Ford had claimed they “don’t show up half the time,” which doesn’t appear to be true, judging from evidence of attendance during the fall session.)
This inaccurate jab rubbed people the wrong way, West said, adding that he was told by some people it motivated them to vote.
Despite securing a third successive win, West said he’s still frustrated by the needlessness of this election, which came a year-and-a-half early at Ford’s behest.
Rather than tackle real issues, West said the government has been thrust into the turmoil of a snap election, which will be followed by several days of getting settled in alongside a new group of people in Queen’s Park, a fresh Throne Speech and its associated responses.
In the end, Ford secured another majority government and the NDP remained on board as Official Opposition, with the overall makeup of MPPs roughly the same, according to preliminary election results.
”The premier’s telling people this (election) is about them,” West said. “This is not about them, this is about the premier.”
Regardless, West said he was looking forward to celebrating the big win.
“I’m really happy to see my family because I haven’t seen them much during this election,” he said.
West has served as Sudbury MPP under the NDP banner since 2018.
With tonight’s re-election, West secured his third mandate, after successive elections in June 2018 and June 2022.
Prior to that, his work experience included health and safety representation while working in smelter operations at Vale. He also served as president of the Sudbury and District Labour Council and a sessional professor at Laurentian University, teaching health and safety to second- and third-year students.
During the latest fall session, he served as opposition critic for mining, having served as labour critic in the past.
West was visible throughout the campaign doorknocking, and was one of only three candidates to show up for the Sudbury and Nickel Belt electoral districts’ only debate last weekend. He joined Sudbury Green candidate David Robinson and Nickel Belt NDP candidate France Gélinas.
Although Sudbury also saw Liberal candidate Rashid Mukhtar Choudhry open a campaign office and respond to media inquiries, Progressive Conservative candidate Max Massimiliano was a more visible force on the campaign trail. Massimiliano was bolstered by a campaign visit by Leader Doug Ford on Feb. 23, where the PCs picked up a union endorsement.
Progressive Conservatives made gains during the 2022 election, when Sudbury candidate Marc Despatie secured 8,519 votes to West’s 12,013.
(In 2022, Progressive Conservative candidate Troy Crowder secured 8,405 votes to West’s 17,386).
Although final results had not come in by the time of publication, this year’s election appeared in keeping with past years trend by seeing the Progressive Conservatives continue to make gains. With 87/90 polls reporting, West had 14,459 votes to Massimiliano’s 12,018.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.