THUNDER BAY -- Long-time municipal political presence Frank Pullia has a goal of turning Thunder Bay blue as he makes his maiden federal run this fall.
Pullia, a former three-term city councillor and five-time mayoral candidate, on Thursday was introduced to carry the Conservative Party banner in Thunder Bay-Superior North in October's federal election.
Although former MP Joe Comuzzi sat on the Conservative benches for a year leading up to the 2008 election after being expelled from the Liberal caucus, a Conservative was last elected to represent the area in 1930.
Acknowledging it has been nearly a century since Thunder Bay went blue, Pullia believes things are changing at the local level.
"Thunder Bay-Superior North has a huge potential. We need to articulate that vision and realize it. When people can see that, they will support their elected officials," Pullia said.
"All of the polls, more and more, are showing that Canada is going blue. Canada, the country, is getting tired of doing the same old, same old. The guiding principles of accountability and transparency are foundational in the life of a politician and when people lose hope, they're going to be looking for alternatives."
Pullia was first elected to Thunder Bay city hall in 1994, representing the McIntyre ward. He was subsequently voted back to the table as an at-large councillor in 2006 and 2014. Pullia was the runner-up to Bill Mauro in last year's mayoral contest, following up on other unsuccessful mayoral bids in 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2010.
Asked formally for the first time by the party to consider running, Pullia feels his personal values and position align with Conservative leader Andrew Scheer's platform.
Scheer hasn't made a trip to Thunder Bay since winning the party's leadership two years ago, though Pullia insists the region is on the party's radar.
"I think you're going to start seeing some changes as people start focusing on the opportunity that is now presented to them by having a candidate that has political experience and can reflect the needs at the local level and the national level," Pullia said. "I'm excited to be part of presenting our best foot forward with any order government, with any party."
Pullia joins Thunder Bay-Rainy River Conservative candidate Linda Rydholm as former Thunder Bay city councillors to put their name on the ballot.
Singling out the emerging gangs, drugs and guns problem in Thunder Bay, Pullia is looking to make a difference with the country's highest level of government.
"We need help. The local communities, the City of Thunder Bay, need help from the federal and provincial governments," Pullia said. "I can be that person to bring that help here."
Incumbent MP Patty Hajdu, who serves in the Trudeau government's cabinet as minister of employment, workforce development and labour, was nominated last year by the Liberals to seek re-election. The NDP have yet to formally nominate a candidate, though former Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum is the lone remaining contestant to publicly express interest. The Greens have also yet to formally nominate a candidate.
