Rosario Marchese supporters had a pretty clear idea why their candidate won re-election in the provincial election.
Marchese, who has sat at Queen’s Park since his political foray as MPP for Fork York in 1990, has been the incumbent for Trinity-Spadina since the riding’s inception in 1999. Thursday night he garnered 19,806 votes, just over 1,000 more than his closest rival, Liberal Sarah Thomson, with 18,479 votes. Marchese’s victory party was held at the United Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St.
MP Olivia Chow, wife of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton, made an appearance at the victory celebration. She sensed she knew why Marchese won.
“I think it is his stance on condo fees, and on making tuition more affordable,” Chow said.
Marchese spoke to his audience over recurrent chants of “Rosario, Rosario!” reiterating his promises to increase provincial funding of the TTC, alleviate condo fees, freeze tuition and offer retrofit rebates to homeowners.
“Every election has its own dynamic, which is in constant flux. That means we have to continue working. This riding is never easy; we can’t take our votes for granted, and we never do,” Marchese said.
Joe Cressy, Marchese’s campaign chair, agreed.
“Trinity-Spadina is always close…we have to fight for every vote,” Cressy said.
Kit McAllister, a freelance writer and illustrator who has volunteered for Marchese’s past two campaigns, attributed the enduring support of Trinity-Spadina to the MPP’s work and connection with the community.
“Rosario knows this neighbourhood and his energy is infectious and genuine. Sometimes I wonder if he gets any sleep,” McAllister said.
Marchese’s ties to Trinity-Spadina are deeply rooted; he moved to the riding at the age of nine, attended Harbord Collegiate and earned his BA at the University of Toronto.
Thursday night’s election marks Marchese’s sixth consecutive successful run in the provincial Legislature.