Incumbent Vance Badawey wins Niagara Centre, holding off April Jeffs and Malcolm Allen
By THERESA REDULA
Nov. 26, 2019
Another election, another win for Niagara Centre Liberal incumbent Vance Badawey.
The election took place Monday, Oct. 21.
Badawey was re-elected with 2,214 more votes than Conservative April Jeffs, with a total of 20,109 votes or 35 per cent of votes in Niagara Centre.
Holding his election rally at The Black Sheep Lounge, Badawey thanked all of his supporters, including his family members, his campaign team and volunteers.
“I was just a face, and sometimes the arms and the legs, but you guys were knocking on doors, calling on phones, putting up signs, talking on the streets – you guys rocked it,” said Badawey in his winning speech.
“We worked hard on this one … each and every one of you that are here right now had a part to play in this campaign.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. Without you guys, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Badawey said that he’s been privileged to represent his riding for the last four years in the House of Commons. “People asked in the last couple of days, ‘What are you going to do?’ I said, ‘You know what? I just want to get back to work.’”
Badawey also reaffirmed his commitment to his riding.
“Yes, we have a lot of activities happening up in Ottawa… but I’m a riding guy and I want to ensure that the issues of the people here in Niagara Centre, and all of Niagara quite frankly, are to be looked after,” said Badawey.
Badawey said he will prioritize a couple of issues: economy, seniors issues, healthcare, poverty and jobs.
He also added that he wants to ensure more affordable housing available in the area during the upcoming term.
“Each and every one of you, thank you for putting me back in that seat to work with you to ensure that Niagara Centre, and all of Niagara moves forward.”
Malcolm Allen, NDP candidate, who served as Niagara Centre MP from 2008-2015, came to The Black Sheep Lounge to congratulate Badawey.
Allen tried to gain the seat back, but ranked third with 15,358 votes or 26.7 per cent, following behind Jeffs’s 17,895 votes.
Allen was followed by Green Party’s Michael Tomaino, ranking fourth place, with a distant 2,999 votes.
