In tonight’s provincial election race dominated by two Halton Hills councillors vying for the local MPP seat, one has come out on top.
The PC’s Joseph Racinsky has secured the Wellington-Halton Hills seat at Queen’s Park and will now gear up to fill the big shoes left behind by Ted Arnott, who held the role for 35 years.
Racinsky earned 45.26 per cent of tonight’s votes, with 24,429 ballots cast in his favour, while Liberal contender Alex Hilson came in second at 27.56 per cent, or 14,874 votes - a large jump from the last provincial election, when the Liberals only secured 14 per cent of the votes locally.
Racinsky arrived to a round of loud applause from the approximately 60 people gathered to welcome him at Judy’s Restaurant in Erin.
"Thank you everybody. We did it," Racinsky said as he entered. "Thanks to everyone who knocked on doors, who pounded signs despite one of the largest snowfalls in years. You were absolute troopers."
Racinsky was thrilled to see not only the local results, but also a majority PC government.
"We've got four years to go out and show Wellington-Halton Hills what we can do for them at Queen's Park. We're going to get things done and the people have shown a belief in the PC Party and Premier Ford."
Racinsky thanked everyone who took time to vote.
"Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I'm going to work my hardest for you. I'm truly humbled. And those that didn't vote for me, I will work hard for you so that you can live free and prosperous lives."
It’s been a whirlwind 30 days as well for Hilson, but the new candidate remains proud of the “tough, short campaign” he and his team ran.
Addressing a small but passionate crowd at the Red Harp in Acton, Hilson said he was honoured to run as a candidate despite not initially planning on throwing his hat into the ring.
“We might not be in office tonight, but the issues are issues that affect all of us … provincial issues are local issues, they affect all of us and we should all be a part of them,” said Hilson.
Congratulating his former council colleague Racinsky in his closing remarks, Hilson said he’s a man of integrity and he’s sure he will “stand up for what he believes in.”
In an earlier interview with EloraFergusToday, Hilson said he disagreed with Racinsky’s and the other PC candidates’ choice not to attend debates because it undermines the electoral process.
“It might not be what we all believe in necessarily, but some of the issues that are important - the healthcare, the housing and the inevitable threat of tariffs... these are all things we’re going to have to face together, no matter what and the closer we work together, the better for all of it," said Hilson.
Hilson said he does plan on returning to Halton Hills Council, where he took a temporary leave of absence during his campaign.
He went on to say that he’s open to conversations about running again as there’s still room for change in four years or two: “whatever the Premier decides.”