In a strategic move to prevent vote splitting in the Eglinton-Lawrence riding, Ontario NDP candidate Natasha Doyle-Merrick has withdrawn from the upcoming provincial election. She emphasized the race is a “clear two-party contest” between the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives and expressed her desire to avoid contributing to a Conservative victory. Doyle-Merrick stated, “I got into politics for the people, and it would be a disservice for me to keep my name on the ballot knowing that the race in Eglinton-Lawrence is pivotal.” The riding has been held by the Progressive Conservatives since 2018, with the Liberals previously representing it since 1999. In the 2022 election, Doyle-Merrick garnered about 3,800 votes, while the Liberal and PC candidates each received over 16,000 votes.
In a related development, the Ontario Liberal Party announced that Moe Chehab, their candidate for the Windsor West riding, has withdrawn from the race. The party did not provide specific reasons for Chehab’s withdrawal but acknowledged it as “too bad” and affirmed their confidence in a strong slate of candidates across the province. Windsor West is anticipated to be a competitive riding between the NDP and Progressive Conservatives in the upcoming election.