Duelling mayoral endorsements

Eisenberger has way more endorsements but five sitting councillors support Sgro

When it comes to mayoral endorsements, Fred Eisenberger has Vito Sgro beat by a country mile.

But, significantly, Sgro is racking up support from incumbent councillors — five at last count, including Maria Pearson and Doug Conley.

Eisenberger’s election website lists more than 30 prominent former and current politicians, community leaders, and unions who are pulling for him to be re-elected and, by extension, supporting the LRT.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is the latest high-profile player to throw her support to Eisenberger, who, according to a Forum Research poll, is in a neckand-neck race with Sgro.

Other supporters include LIUNA vice-president Joe Mancinelli, New Democrat MPs Scott Duvall and David Christopherson, community advocate Deirdre Pike and development consultant Jasper Kujavsky.

By contrast, you can almost count Sgro’s endorsements on one hand.

Liberal MP and former mayor Bob Bratina has come out pitching for Sgro. No surprise there. They’ve known each other for many years. Sgro was president of the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding associations when Bratina was elected in 2015 and, like Sgro, is no fan of LRT.

But now Pearson, who is seeking re-election in Stoney Creek’s Ward 10, and Conley, who is running in Stoney Creek’s Ward 9, have both come out swinging for Sgro and his opposition to LRT.

That now makes five sitting councillors in Sgro’s camp. The others are Robert Pasuta (old ward 14, west Flamborough) Judi Partridge (Ward 15, east Flamborough) and Terry Whitehead (new Ward 14, west Mountain). Pasuta is the only one not running for office.

Thanking them all in a release Friday, Sgro said this is the first time in history so many councillors have publicly endorsed a non-incumbent mayoral candidate, suggesting it speaks volumes about Eisenberger’s “lack of leadership at City Hall and the lack of support for his billion dollar train.”

I can’t speak to history, but it’s certainly the first time I recall this many sitting councillors supporting a city hall outsider against an incumbent.

To be clear, five councillors constitutes fully one-third of the 15 who make up the council body. If one or two more join in, it would give the endorsements as much the appearance of a revolt against Eisenberger as a stamp of approval for Sgro.

As it is, four of the five are suburban councillors who are ice cold on LRT and warmly welcoming of Sgro’s pledge to protect suburban area-rated taxes.

Policy rapport aside, they must all believe backing Sgro will serve them well at the ballot box on Monday, which itself suggests Sgro could poll well in those wards. Interestingly, former councillor Brad Clark, who is among those running against Conley, has also thrown his support behind Sgro.

The endorsements are not without risk, however. If any of them and Eisenberger reclaim their seats around the council table, you can bet the air will be thick with the odour of sour milk.

‘‘Thanking them all in a release Friday, Sgro said this is the first time in history so many councillors have publicly endorsed a non-incumbent mayoral candidate.