A burden has been lifted off Simcoe North voters after a stunning statement from Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne, says Gerry Marshall.
It happened Saturday morning after Wynne publicly acknowledged the chances of her being re-elected were slim to none.
“I think the premier's recognition of the reality, really, in a lot of ways unburdens a lot of folks who want to vote for Gerry Marshall but were maybe reluctant to do so because of their feelings toward the premier,” said Marshall, the Liberals’ Simcoe North candidate.
He said Wynne’s leadership was an issue many voters had brought up to him.
“As I campaigned and knocked on the doors, I often heard people say, ‘Gerry, I think you're a great candidate, but we have real concerns about your party leader,’” he said.
But now things have changed, he feels. With the chances of Wynne’s re-election having been removed from the equation, it allows voters to reassess their local candidates.
“People who were thinking of putting their votes elsewhere were showing their support today,” said Marshall, who was canvassing in the Township of Severn on the weekend.
That’s something Wynne has urged voters to do.
"The more Liberal MPPs we send to Queens Park on June 7, the less likely it becomes that either Doug Ford or the NDP will be able to form a majority government," Wynne said during a news conference.
Now she is focusing on supporting candidates in ridings that can be won, said Marshall.
“She will be up in my office in Midland around 6 p.m. on Monday and will be supporting my efforts to get elected in Simcoe North,” he said.
While on the campaign trail, Marshall said he became aware of three truths.
“Kathleen wasn't going to get re-elected as premier; people are fearful of a majority conservative government; and they are equally fearful of a majority NDP government,” he said.
Recognizing that and stepping aside was a wise move on the part of Wynne, Marshall added. Wynne can now support Liberal candidates who can get elected to keep a Progressive Conservative or NDP government in check, Marshall said.
While polls strongly suggest the leadership race is between the NDP and PCs, Marshall said he has been hearing a different story at the local level.
“It's been Gerry Marshall stopping the Ford nation,” he said. “We need a small-town, rural Ontario champion to make sure that Simcoe North is well represented at the table.”
After Wynne’s announcement, Marshall feels certain his support has gone up.
“We always felt we were in the thick of the hunt and it's been a tight race,” he said. “This will help voters who weren't giving me a second look to revisit their decision and look at the statements I've made, materials I've released and conversations we've had.”
Marshall said the Liberals now have to take a hard look at how their leadership should change in the future.
“I know now that leadership with the Liberals will change at some point, post-election,” he said. “There will be a leadership review after elections. Everybody can recognize that conversation is ahead of us as well.”
