Reopened Tory nomination won by Levitt again
Ben Levitt has won the Progressive Conservative nomination for Hamilton West Ancaster-Dundas for the second time by an overwhelming margin of four votes to one.
Levitt collected 736 votes, while 2015 federal Conservative candidate Vincent Samuel received 195.
“People were motivated,” said Levitt, 26, after his victory at a meeting at the Ancaster Fairgrounds Tuesday night. “They came out even in the rain. I feel blessed.”
The total turnout was down from the disputed and raucous May 2017 nomination vote where 1,735 total votes were cast at a meeting at Ancaster high school.
In that race, Levitt won on the third ballot, with Dundas lawyer Vikram Singh coming second and businessman Jeff Peller placing third.
Both Singh and Peller appealed the results of the vote to the party due to alleged irregularities and accusations of ballot stuffing. Party officials rejected the appeals and both then sought a judicial review.
They eventually dropped their legal actions after reaching an agreement with party officials. Singh was rejected for running in the second nomination race. The May 2017 meeting is being investigated by Hamilton police.
Levitt, who works for MP David Sweet, said a new nomination needed to be held because “it’s the right thing to do.” Levitt said he is co-operating with police in their investigation, but doesn’t believe voters will hold what happened during the first nomination against him.
Samuel, who was also Hamilton’s Doug Ford organizer for his eventual party leadership win, congratulated Levitt on his victory. He said there were a few issues during the voting, but overall “there are no complaints” with the result.
Levitt received backing from Sweet and Ward 7 councillor and Flamborough-Glanbrook PC candidate Donna Skelly. Also at the event was Singh.
“I definitely believe I have the mandate to be the candidate, and I look forward to June 7,” said Levitt.
Levitt will face longtime Liberal MPP Ted McMeekin and NDP candidate Sandy Shaw in the general election.
With Levitt’s selection, the Progressive Conservatives are the first party to have candidates in all Hamilton-area ridings. This also includes Jane McKenna (Burlington), Dionne Duncan (Hamilton Centre), Akash Grewal (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek), Esther Pauls (Hamilton Mountain), Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk) and Sam Oosterhoff (Niagara West).