More contenders have entered the contest to represent Sarnia-Lambton in the provincial legislature.
Pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Windsor, Sarnia-Lambton’s Liberal Party candidate Rachel Willsie said she began her political science studies because she wanted to influence policy.
“Management only has so much capacity when you’re working in healthcare and you see the shortcomings and you’re trying to have the concerns in healthcare addressed,” said the certified practical nurse and Lambton College nursing instructor since 2006.
“It truly is propelled by funding strategies and policy decisions.”
Willsie, who has worked in long-term care and for 15 years in acute care at Bluewater Health in Sarnia, said her research center on policy recommendations concerning the Municipal Act and housing.
She termed it “an onerous political subject that needs some resolution.”
Though she didn’s not grow up on a farm personally, the native Port Franks said she is running since she believes “our community deserves leadership that’s going to listen and advocate for strong results.”
The Liberal Party candidate for Ontario’s 2025 election in Sarnia-Lambton is Rachel Willsie.
The Liberal Party candidate for Ontario’s 2025 election in Sarnia-Lambton is Rachel Willsie. (Handout) JPG, SO, apsmc Willsie was organizing a Sunday campaign launch in Sarnia.
She said she’s not thrilled with the snap election call, adding voting has been open without all candidates officially declared.
She called that unjust and undemocratic.
An Elections Ontario spokesperson says write-in ballots are accessible until Feb. 19. A list of candidates is updated as people declare at elections.on.ca, and names begin appearing on ballots Feb. 20, communications coordinator David Pearce said in an email.
Article content Turnout figures for write-in ballots will be available after the Feb. 27 election, he added.
New Blue’s Keith Benn, who also stood for the party in Sarnia-Lambton in 2022, and in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex in last year’s by-election, has declared his candidacy.
Keith Benn is the New Blue Party candidate in Sarnia-Lambton for the 2025 Ontario election.
Keith Benn is the New Blue Party candidate in Sarnia-Lambton for the 2025 Ontario election. (Handout) jpeg, SO, apsmc
The former academic at the University of Ottawa and independent geological consultant in the minerals business is originally from Wallaceburg and lives in Port Lambton.
In a Facebook post, Benn stated his priorities include political accountability, increased access to alternative kinds of education, improved healthcare, a sustainable farming and food sector, tax reduction, and supporting economic growth.
Former Sarnia city councillor Nathan Colquhoun has also joined the race, as an independent.
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“Sarnia-Lambton is being left behind by a system that puts political loyalty before real representation,” claimed the Sarnia Journal owner and Sarnia-native entrepreneur at nathancolquhoun.com.
Colquhoun, who campaigned unsuccessfully for Sarnia mayor in 2022, said he supports “workers over corporations, public services over privatization, and accountability over political theatre.
Nathan Colquhoun is running as an independent candidate in the Sarnia-Lambton riding in the 2025 Ontario election.
Nathan Colquhoun is running as an independent candidate in the Sarnia-Lambton riding in the 2025 Ontario election. (File photo) Handout
He noted he wants representation for Sarnia-Lambton based on local issues, “not what’s dictated from Toronto.”
Bob Bailey is running for the Progressive Conservatives in the riding he’s held since 2007.
Candace Young, another professor, who teaches math at Lambton College, is running for the NDP.
Jacques Boudreau is standing for the Libertarian Party.
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