Sarah Thomson says her 2010 bid for the mayor’s chair in Toronto, propelled her to a close second in Thursday’s provincial vote in Trinity-Spadina.
Liberal candidate Thomson, lost a tight race to NDP incumbent Rosario Marchese in the riding. The CEO and publisher of Women’s Post magazine lost by just over a thousand votes; she garnered 18,479 votes to Marchese’s 19,806; Mike Yen of the Progressive Conservatives came third with 5,429 votes. Thomson credited last year’s mayoral race for her showing.
“I think the mayor’s race helped. I got some ideas out there. I think people liked those ideas, so I think that’s what helped me in the race,” she said.
Interim federal Liberal party leader, Bob Rae offered support for Thomson at her post-election gathering.
“We’re very proud of Sarah, she’s down a great job,” Rae said. “She’s been a great, great candidate and she’s done us all very proud.”
Thomson acknowledged the support she received from both volunteers and the Liberal party.
“It’s wonderful to have that much support,” she said. “When I ran for mayor, I had a few supporters, but this has been phenomenal. The Liberal team is amazing.”
Now a veteran of two failed campaigns, Thomson was unsure about her political future.
“I have no idea (what’s next); I own a company right now, so I have no idea. Never give up,” she said.