New Democrats Make History, Sweep London’s Urban Ridings

In a provincial election where change seemed to be the theme of the day, three out of four London ridings stayed exactly the same. In fact, Peggy Sattler in London West, Teresa Armstrong in London—Fanshawe, and Jeff Yurek in Elgin—Middlesex—London, will all be serving their third consecutive terms as MPPs. The only change came in London North Centre, where Terence Kernaghan became the first New Democrat to represent the riding since Marion Boyd left in 1999.

Sattler crushed the opposition in London West taking 55% of the votes, up significantly from the 40% she received in the last election. Liberal candidate Jonathan Hughes managed just 9%, down 15% from what Nick Steinburg garnered in 2014. All of those votes seemed to go to Sattler, as former 980 CFPL talk show host and Progressive Conservative candidate Andrew Lawton, received 29 per cent of the vote in London West, the same as Jeff Bennett in 2014.

“I can say that I have made quite a difference as a third-party MPP, so I’m looking forward to ramping that up as a member of a very strong opposition,” said Sattler.

In London North Centre, rookie new democrat Kernaghan defeated Susan Truppe of the Progressive Conservatives by almost 20 points. Kate Graham of the Liberals managed just 15 per cent of the vote, compared to the 35 per cent Deb Matthews won with four years ago. Matthews announced before the election she wouldn’t seek re-election after 15 years in government.

Armstrong also saw a slight increase in London—Fanshawe from 2014, rising five per cent to 55 per cent. Eric Weniger of the Progressive Conservatives grabbed 29 per cent of the vote, leaving Liberal Lawvin Hadisi just 8 per cent of the vote – down 19 per cent from the last election.

Yurek jumped nine points from 2014 to 55 per cent in Elgin—Middlesex—London as well. The NDP’s Amanda Stratton got 32 per cent of the vote, an increase of six points from 2014. Liberal candidate Carlie Forsythe, grabbed just 7 per cent of the vote, down from 20 per cent in 2014.

“My wife and I looked at each other with a little relief and joy the fact that the people have put their trust in me again. I’m just, overwhelmed and thankful that not only I won again but the fact that we’re going to be a majority government,” Yurek said.

When the dust had settled from a provincial election that saw the best voter turnout in more than 20 years, the new Democrats had swept all three of London’s urban ridings for the first time in history.

The province may have gone from red to blue, but London will be decidedly orange for the next four years.