In spite of a new name and boundary and no incumbent in this campaign, Elgin-St. Thomas-London South remains a blue riding.
Ninety minutes after the polls closed Monday evening, CTV declared Conservative Party of Canada candidate Andrew Lawton the winner.
Lawton led the vote count right out of the gate and continued to grow his cushion over Liberal candidate David Goodwin throughout the evening.
Talking to people one on one was the difference, stressed Lawton.
In spite of past negative comments hanging over his campaign like a dark cloud, Lawton said he was able to erase much of that negativity by going door to door and asking voters what matters to them.
He called his win over three other candidates the honour of a lifetime.
Although party leader Pierre lost his seat in Ottawa’s Carleton riding, Lawton stressed he has a mandate to fight for the riding as a member of the Official Opposition.
Although a resident of London, Lawton confirmed he and his wife will move into the riding.
The former riding of Elgin-Middlesex-London has been under the Conservative banner since 2004.
St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston won the riding that year and held it until he retired in 2015.
Karen Vecchio stepped in that year and last July indicated she would not seek re-election.
Shortly after midnight with 25 polls out of 180 yet to be recorded, Lawton had 50.7 per cent of the vote, compared to 42.6 per cent for Liberal runner-up David Goodwin.
Written by Ian McCallum
