Walsh tells supporters ‘this is just the beginning’

Federal Liberal candidate Colin Walsh welcomed supporters (and the media) to his Haldimand-Norfolk campaign office on election night. 

By Chris Abbott

Editor

Liberal Part of Canada candidate Colin Walsh was not successful in his first federal election campaign.

Conservative incumbent Dr. Leslyn Lewis won the Haldimand-Norfolk riding with 41,218 votes (57.6%) on Monday, April 28. Walsh received 26,040 votes (35.4%). Four other H-N candidates combined for the remaining six per cent.

“Although tonight’s result was not what we hoped for locally – it is nationally. We’re getting our government in place, and… (Mark) Carney wins, I think we all win.”

As of May 5th, the Liberals were just shy of a 172-seat majority in Ottawa with 169.

Walsh told supporters gathered at his Simcoe campaign office on election night he was filled with pride, gratitude and optimism for his H-N team and what they were able to accomplish together.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible team of volunteers, our supporters, all of our community members who stood with us every step of the way. Your energy, your time, your belief in a better future made this campaign possible.

“We ran this campaign the right way – with integrity, honesty, transparency and positivity. We focused on the facts and we stayed true to our values. And we respected the people of Haldimand-Norfolk every step of the way.”

Walsh said they started something they ‘must continue.’

“A movement for greater engagement, greater fairness and greater opportunity here in Haldimand-Norfolk. And this work does not end tonight. I don’t plan on going anywhere, I plan on staying here, and hopefully in another four years we continue this… and I get to read the other speech,” he added with a smile.

“To everyone who believed in this campaign, please know that your voice matters, your efforts matter, your hope matters, you matter to me. I am very proud of what we built together and I look forward to continuing this work alongside you in the months and years to come.”

Walsh stressed H-N needs better representation.

“There are real problems with our community and they haven’t been addressed in over four years. I just want to help this community out. The only way I can do that is if we keep working and building on what we have already started.”

Walsh said he was able to connect with the H-N community during the campaign through numerous meet-and-greets.

“You can’t represent a community unless you are there to hear them. That was something I wanted to make sure we addressed in this campaign, that we are to hear what you have to say. So moving forward, we’re going to continue doing it.”

Aiden Kenny, 17, was a staunch supporter of Walsh and a Liberal volunteer. He joined mid-campaign, just before the all-candidate debate in Simcoe, calling Liberal voters from past elections, confirming support.

“Basically it was rallying supporters,” said Kenny, who was spending a couple hours a day on the phone.

Kenny said the need for better local representation is what motivated him to volunteer.

“I got involved in this because it feels like for too long we’ve been taken advantage of – federally - by the Conservatives.”

The Simcoe student believes Walsh should run again in four years.

“A lot of people think that once a candidate loses, you can’t run them again. I don’t think that’s true. I think Colin did extremely well. It was about name recognition. Leslyn Lewis has had two election cycles to get her name out there and prove herself to the people… Colin, he did well with what he had.

“I’m going to be happy to volunteer to help him in the next four years trying to flip Haldimand-Norfolk Liberal. I like what Mr. Carney has to offer. I’ve seen his platform and as a young person, I like the stability of what he offers. He is a crisis manager and that’s what we need right now.

“So in the next four years, we’ll come back and I think we’ll have a better chance with this,” Kenny concluded. “Because we’re just building the road right now. We’re digging the foundation and in four more years we’re going to be building the house. I think if he (Walsh) comes back, it will show the people he is dedicated and he is not in it for himself. He’s in it for the people.”

chris@granthaven.com