Donna Skelly seeks Conservative nomination
If she wins it, expect to see a healthy battle that will warm the heart of any political buff: Skelly versus Judi Partridge
Ending months of speculation, Coun. Donna Skelly says she is seeking the Conservative nomination for the new provincial riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook.
“It’s been a tough decision. I love what I do, and I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far on council,” Skelly said.
“The truth is I think I can do more for the entire city at the provincial level.”
Skelly, who was elected to Hamilton council in a March 2016 byelection, says she submitted her nomination paperwork and was interviewed by PC officials last week.
“At this point, I haven’t been approved as a candidate yet.”
It’s widely believed the party has been courting the high-profile former CHCH TV broadcaster with the intention of either acclaiming or appointing her.
PC riding association president John Demik could not be reached. But would-be candidates Nick Lauwers and Dan Sadler have previously said the party told them it would not back their bids, strongly suggesting there was a preferred choice in the wings.
“I am not being appointed, I can tell you that,” Skelly said, adding she has no idea how many nominees the party might approve.
Skelly notes that the waning popularity of the Liberal government means a lot of people want to run for the Conservatives.
“This is why you’ll have hard feelings across the province, but I’m focusing on just getting my application approved at this point.”
If Skelly doesn’t have to face an open nomination contest, she’ll definitely be squaring off against fellow Coun. Judi Partridge in the June 2018 election.
Partridge was recently acclaimed the Liberal candidate for the same riding,
Skelly represents Ward 7 on the central Mountain. Partridge represents east Flamborough’s Ward 15.
Both reside within their wards and the boundaries of Flamborough-Glanbrook, a sprawling riding encompassing part of Hamilton south of Rymal Road, some of the Mountain brow, parts of Ancaster, all Waterdown, Carlisle, Glanbrook, Binbrook and upper Stoney Creek.
Skelly says the media might have fun reporting on the battle between the two councillors but she and Partridge get along “really well” and will conduct themselves professionally.
“It will be a healthy competition, put it that way.”
Skelly intends to forgo her council salary once the provincial campaign officially gets underway but will continue with her council duties barring any legal prohibitions.
If she loses provincially, she intends to seek re-election to Ward 7 in the October 2018 municipal election. Partridge also intends to run municipally if she’s defeated provincially.
Skelly knows she’ll be criticized for keeping her council option open, but trusts Ward 7 voters will judge her based on her track record of “challenging the status quo” at city hall.
This is the third time Skelly has run provincially. In the 2011 and 2014 elections, she unsuccessfully ran for the Tories against Liberal incumbent Ted McMeekin in the riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.
Skelly figures the time is right for change at Queen’s Park after 14 years of Liberal government.
“I think I’ve shown I’m a fiscal conservative and I do believe that government needs to change the way it operates tremendously, both at the municipal and, without a doubt, at the provincial level.”
Meanwhile, it’ll be business as usual at city council. “I’m not going to be sitting back; I’m still going to be working hard.”
The period between now and the provincial election obviously represents both a danger and opportunity for Skelly and Partridge.
Everything they say and do as councillors will invariably be sifted by others through a partisan filter and critics will surely pounce on any misstep.
On the other hand, for several months they’ll have an enviable built-in opportunity to showboat and showcase their political smarts and strengths. It should be fascinating to watch them in action.