Joel Henderson seeks federal Liberal nomination
With MP Bill Casey retiring, Henderson sets sights on Cumberland-colchester Liberal nod
Joel Henderson of Truro, who worked several years as Cumberland-colchester MP Bill Casey’s assistant, is seeking the party’s nomination for the federal riding.
“I’ve followed politics for a long time and I’ve had the honour of volunteering and working with Bill,” Henderson said. “I learned so much about how he works and the passion he has for the people of the riding. I want to continue that, working for all our communities and people. I feel I’ve learned too much to let it go to waste.”
Casey, who was first elected as a Progressive Conservative in 1988 and returned to politics as a Liberal in 2015 after retiring six years earlier, announced in September he would not reoffer next October when the Liberal govern- ment of Justin Trudeau seeks a second mandate.
Henderson said the riding needs a strong advocate in Ottawa. Otherwise, he fears, it could be forgotten or taken for granted. He knows replacing Casey will be daunting but he’s up to the challenge, and he says Casey “will support whoever wins the Liberal nomination.”
“I love to personally connect with people about their concerns and problems and to help them find solutions,” Henderson said. “I learned that from Bill, who was among the best at making those connections.”
Born and raised in Truro, 37-year-old Henderson has roots throughout Colchester County, and practices law. He served as chief of staff to Casey for three years and learned to navigate the sometimes tricky federal system to help constituents.
Henderson also worked with Casey, who chairs the federal health committee, in the study of a national pharmacare program. If elected he says he will focus on local priorities across the riding, including Internet service, skills training and retirement income security.
Cumberland- Colchester has great potential, according to Henderson, who added it’s imperative to continue building on progress, something he wants to do as MP.
A date has yet to be determined for a nomination meeting, but Henderson said he would welcome a contested nomination.
If he wins the nomination, he will face former MP Scott Armstrong, who has already secured the Conservative nomination. It was Armstrong who Casey defeated in 2015.
“I think the government has been doing a lot of great things for regular and working people and for families in Cumberland-Colchester and that’s going to help us,” Henderson said. “Whoever wins the nomination is going to have a positive story to tell. If it’s me, I know it will be a challenge but I look forward to it. I’m going to go out there and do the best I can.”
“I think the government has been doing a lot of great things for regular and working people and for families in CumberlandColchester and that’s going to help us ...Whoever wins the nomination is going to have a positive story to tell. If it’s me, I know it will be a challenge but I look forward to it. I’m going to go out there and do the best I can.” Joel Henderson