FINAL TERM FOR TORY MP

Van Kesteren says he won’t be on the ballot in 2019

Dave Van Kesteren won’t be seeking re-election in 2019, the longtime Conservative MP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington announced Friday.

Van Kesteren said he struggled the last few weeks with making the final decision, but added he is “feeling calm” now that the announcement has been made.

He added he also has “36 great reasons to not seek re-election now, with our 37th grandchild coming in a few months.

“It’s been a great run, it’s been a wonderful job and I’ve got just great memories,” the Chatham resident added.

Van Kesteren, 62, has been a candidate in the last five federal elections. He lost the first election to incumbent MP Jerry Pickard, but won the next four, in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2015.

After he was first elected, Van Kesteren helped form the new federal government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Since the Conservatives lost the 2015 election, Van Kesteren has been a member of the opposition.

The MP said by announcing early it gives other people the chance to prepare to seek the local Conservative nomination.

Van Kesteren praised his constituents and also thanked his wife Faye and their family for their ongoing support over the years.

The MP said during his time in office the federal government has poured “a third of a billion dollars” into his riding.

Among the projects and initiatives he said he helped support and see realized: the Leamington waste-water treatment plan, upgraded facilities for both Ridgetown and St. Clair colleges, manufacturing business expansions, the Chatham-Kent Women’s Shelter, bio-energy research, Point Pelee National Park and tomato research.