THUNDER BAY – Moe Comuzzi has made it a two-candidate race for the Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
The former two-time federal nominee on Sunday announced she would be challenging riding association president Brandon Postuma for the right to try to dethrone Liberal Bill Mauro, who has held the seat for 15 years, in the coming provincial election.
The Thunder Bay businesswoman said her experience in her hometown gives her the knowledge needed to help grow the local economy and produce jobs in Northern Ontario.
“Thunder Bay-Atikokan has tremendous opportunities if the government makes the right policy choices in the coming years,” she said in a release issued late Sunday night.
“We must continue moving forward with supporting forestry and mining in the Thunder Bay area as well as manufacturing industries like Bombardier and Resolute Forest Products. Support to small business is critical at this time and I can be a strong voice at Queen’s Park in this regard.
The choice on June 7 is clear, she added, emphasizing her support for the Progressive Conservative’s newly elected leader.
“Doug Ford is the right leader for this province. Doug Ford is a talented and strong individual and the only party leader who can be trusted to represent the interests and concerns of the citizens of this riding,” Comuzzi said, adding she’s spoken to Ford and been promised he’ll work to get projects like the Ring of Fire off the drawing table and to resolve Toronto issues regarding Bombardier and its troubled street-car contract.
“I would be honoured to serve as the Progressive Party of Ontario and help win this riding in the upcoming election,” Comuzzi said.
The Conservatives have not elected an MPP in the riding since 1985, when Mickey Hennessey won his final term in the former Fort William riding. The party has not finished higher than third in the riding since 1999.
Running federally in Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Comuzzi finished second in 2011 and third in 2015.
Postuma announced late last week that he would enter the race.
Neither the Green Party nor the NDP have yet named a candidate in the riding.
