Simcoe-Grey Liberals prepare way to find their candidate, MacEachern on radar

New Tecumseth Free Press Online 

The Simcoe Grey Federal Liberal Riding Association (SGFLRA) has struck a nominating committee and is making overtures to “some high profile candidates” to vie for the nomination to run in the next federal election.

Among them reportedly is New Tecumseth mayor Mike MacEachern, who in January announced he was not seeking a fourth term.

“I don’t have a comment at this time,” is all the mayor would say when asked whether he has been approached, and or considering the opportunity to run for the federal seat held by first term Conservative incumbent Kellie Leitch.

SGFLRA President John Gruetzner, who is chairing the candidate committee, said only by email, “we will send you a detailed reply soon,” when asked to confirm that a candidate search was underway. At this point it remains at the riding level as the Liberal Party’s federal office has not struck any firmative timelines.

The Conservative government’s fixed election law requires that a general election be held every four years on the third of October, which pegs the next campaign for Oct. 19, 2015. National parliamentary media have speculated of late that the Prime Minister could trigger an election next spring.

It’s expected Ms. Leitch will not be challenged as the incumbent Conservative candidate, and at this post there was no confirmation as to the NDP’s candidate search/process other than previous candidate Katy Austin remains listed as the association’s lone contact point in Simcoe-Grey.