Teen Tory MPP Sam Oosterhoff is being challenged for Niagara seat
The youngest MPP in Ontario history is being challenged for his seat just months after being elected.
Progressive Conservative Sam Oosterhoff, who won the Niagara WestGlanbrook byelection last November, faces a nomination battle Tuesday against party vice-president Tony Quirk for the new riding of Niagara West.
“I’m not sure why Tony is running, quite frankly. I was surprised. He was my co-chair of my campaign during the last election,” said Oosterhoff, 19. “I like to say that one of my best endorsements was Tony’s endorsement, so it’s interesting,” added the rookie MPP.
Oosterhoff insisted he’s “not taking anything for granted” but said he’s pleased to have the backing of Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and other caucus mates in the contest. Quirk, 46, finished fourth behind the teen in last October’s Niagara West-Glanbrook nomination.
The Niagara regional councillor and veteran PC operative now enjoys the support of some of those who last fall voted for runner-up Rick Dykstra, the Tory party president. The fourth candidate in the contest was newsman Mike Williscraft.
“Sam is a nice young man. He’s intelligent, he’s hardworking. I give him all that and I was happy to support him in the byelection,” said Quirk.
“But in 2018, we’re going to be forming government,” he added.
“We, as a party, have an obligation to present a slate of candidates who are qualified, with the business, personal and life experience necessary to make the decisions that are going to affect the people of Ontario.”
Brown, for his part, said he is “supporting all my incumbents” even though he and Quirk are longtime friends. “I expect Sam to win his nomination,” the Tory leader said.
If Quirk prevails in the vote at the West Niagara Fairgrounds in Grassie on Tuesday night, Oosterhoff stressed he would “absolutely” continue to sit as a PC MPP until the next election. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Asked if he would run as an independent next year if he loses the Tory nomination, he said: “Absolutely not. I’m supporting my party.”
The boundaries of Niagara WestGlanbrook, which had been held by former PC leader Tim Hudak, are being changed due to riding redistribution. The Hamilton parts of the riding — Glanbrook and Upper Stoney Creek — have been lopped off.