PC Mike Harris Jr. wins seat in Kitchener-Conestoga

In a tight race, Progressive Conservative candidate Mike Harris Jr. has won the seat in Kitchener-Conestoga.

With all 50 polls counted, Harris had 40 per cent of the vote and won by fewerthan 1,000 votes.

• NDP candidate Kelly Dick took 38 per cent.
• Liberal Joe Gowingwon 14 per cent.
• Green candidate Bob Jonkmanwon 6.5 per cent.
• Libertarian Daniel Benoytook just over one per cent.
• Consensus Ontario candidate Dan Holt won 0.5 per cent.

Voter turnout in the riding was about 61 per cent.

Riding history

After a controversial end to the last session of the legislature, which saw the former MPP for this ridingMichael Harris booted from his party, this riding has no incumbent seeking reelection.

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Michael Harriswas removed from the party in Aprilfor sending inappropriate text messages to an intern. He had initially told voters and the media he wasn't seeking re-election due to an eye condition for which he needed surgery. He said he had that surgery on May 7.

Harris had served as MPP since 2011, when he beat Liberal Leeanna Pendergast. Pendergast had beaten Harris in the 2007 election by 1,500 votes.

Candidates square off

There was more controversy when the Progressive Conservatives named Mike Harris Jr. son of former premier Mike Harris the candidate in this riding after Harris Jr. lost his bid for the nomination in Waterloo.

Harris Jr. faced Liberal Joe Gowing, who works as a mortgage specialist and also volunteers with the Legion and Rotary Club, and NDP candidate Kelly Dick, an executive board member with the Waterloo Regional Labour Council.

Bob Jonkman was the Green Party of Ontario candidate. He also ran for the Greens in the 2015 federal election.

This riding also included Libertarian candidate Daniel Benoy and the only Consensus Ontario candidate in the region, Dan Holt.

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