Election 2008: Willowdale remains in Liberal hands

The winner in Toronto’s Willowdale riding during Tuesday’s federal election says she offered her constituents just one promise in the campaign.

In a decisive victory, Martha Hall Findlay was re-elected Tuesday night, almost seven months after winning the federal by-election in the same riding.

Hall Findlay won 49 per cent of the votes, defeating Conservative candidate Jake Karns, who won 33 per cent of ballots cast.  Hall Findlay claimed she promised the residents of Willowdale only one thing.

“The only promise I’ve made as a politician is to do the best job I can,” she said.

Hall Findlay said during her campaign that infrastructure was important to Willowdale constituents because of the heavy traffic of York region commuters driving to the Finch subway station.

“I’ve been trying to work hard on the significant issues in this riding, especially infrastructure and immigration,” she said.

Hall Findlay, who ran for party leader in 2007, emphasized the importance of the October elections over the March by-elections.

“The by-election win was terrific,” she said, “but this is about a full endorsement of the people of Willowdale.”

Willowdale has been a Liberal riding for the past 20 years.  Karns, running for the first time in a federal election, remained positive about the results of the election.

“We made a significant move forward,” he said.  “Martha Hall Findlay has been put on notice that we won’t be pushed around anymore.

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Posted: Oct 19 2008 8:17 am
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