Liberal Sutton kicks off campaign for April 28 federal election

Essex Liberal candidate Chris Sutton (left) was joined by Irek Kusmierczyk last Saturday afternoon at Sutton’s campaign launch.

There was another large gathering of political supporters in downtown Essex last Saturday afternoon as Liberal candidate Chris Sutton officially kicked off his campaign to be the next Member of Parliament.

Earlier in the week and just a few footsteps away, incumbent PC candidate Chris Lewis began his attempt for a third term.

Sutton referenced the possible United States tariffs but cautioned those who attended his event on how to react.

“It is not the American public that is doing this, it’s one person,” said Sutton of U.S. President Donald Trump.

All three leaders of the major parties have already been in Windsor using the border as a backdrop to stand up for Canadians and specifically, local autoworkers.

That includes newly elected Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said if his party is re-elected, it will create a Strategic Response Fund to combat the response to tariffs.

“I have had many opportunities to speak with Mr. Carney. We’ve had many one-on-ones,” said Sutton.

Speaking to his supporters, the local candidate said the Liberals want to make Canada strong again and eliminate 13 (provinces and territories) different economies and create one.

“We won’t take our sovereignty lightly and Mark says we will never be the 51st state,” said Sutton.

Among those in Essex on Saturday were Tamara Stomp who ran unsuccessfully in the recent provincial election and Audrey Festeryga, who was the federal Liberal candidate in the 2021 election.

Amherstburg’s Eugene Whelan held the seat from 1972-1984 and his daughter Susan was the MP from 1993-2004. Both were federal cabinet ministers.

“This region has been red in the past and it will be red again,” said Sutton. 

Also on hand was Irek Kusmierczyk who is looking to hold on to his seat in Windsor-Tecumseh.

“Good hearts attract good hearts and Chris Sutton has a good heart. He’s been fighting for workers,” said Kusmierczyk.

Supporting workers, he added is something he believed the current representative (Lewis) has not been doing.

Liberal Sutton kicks off campaign for April 28 federal election

By Fred Groves