Anthony Housefather wins Liberal nomination for Mount-Royal

AnthonyHousefatheris the Mount Royal ridings new Liberal candidate and could be the next MP, if the riding continues the longtime tradition of voting Liberal.

• Liberal MP Irwin Cotler not running in next election

Mount Royal is a Liberal stronghold, with LiberalMPsholding the riding since 1940.

Current MP IrwinCotlerannounced his retirement this year, leaving his seat up for grabs.

It turned out to be a tightrace, with CteSt-LucMayor AnthonyHousefathercoming up against public relations man JonathanGoldbloom.

Turnout on Sunday was strong, with nearly 2,000 card-carrying Liberals coming out to vote.

Much ofHousefatherssupport came from his own city, whileCte-des-Neigeslargely backedGoldbloom.

Housefathersaid the next step will be winning them over.

"CteSt-Lucis 35,000people. Now, the riding is a 105,000people. I've got to go out and meet the other 70,000 people," he said.

Housefather will face stiff Conservative competition in the next federal election.

Robert Libman, former Cte St-Luc mayor and founder of the now-defunct Equality Party, and Suburban newspaper editor Beryl Wajsman are vying for the Conservative nomination.