There are four candidates running to become the Progressive Conservative party nominee in the next provincial election.
The local Progressive Conservative riding association confirmed that Stephen Townsend, a former councillor with West Grey, has been confirmed as the fourth candidate to replace incumbent MPP Rick Byers as the local candidate.
The riding association confirmed that Townsend is the final candidate in the race for the nomination.
Townsend joins the three previously confirmed candidates: Brock Hamley, Christine Robinson and Paul Vickers.
Townsend served one term as a councillor on West Grey council, before making an unsuccessful run for the mayor’s chair.
His bio on the riding association website says that he lives with his wife on a hobby farm near Durham and worked in a number of roles in the insurance industry.
“Rural communities face many challenges urban areas do not. Therefore, their government representatives must be well prepared, skilled and knowledgeable to effectively address them,” Townsend said in his bio. “I commit to working tirelessly, servicing my community, using the knowledge, skills and experience I’ve developed should you elect me to be your candidate in the next provincial election.”
The nomination meeting will be held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound on Jan. 18.
In Sept. 2024, Byers announced that he would not be seeking reelection after serving a single term as MPP.
