THUNDER BAY – Longtime Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle says he plans to run for re-election in 2022.
Gravelle, who has represented Thunder Bay-Superior North since 1995, on Tuesday re-confirmed his political plans for the next election.
“I certainly have every intention of running again for the office of MPP,” Gravelle said. “It’s been a wonderful honour to represent our constituents for the number of years that I have. I still have the same passion, the same belief that one person can make a difference and I’ve been grateful for the support I’ve received.
“I hope that I can have one more run at it and it should be a very interesting campaign.”
Gravelle first took the riding in 1995, when it was known as Port Arthur, capturing a 23 percentage point margin over the NDP’s Shelley Wark-Martyn.
In 2003 he earned 72.45 per cent of the vote share and as recently as the 2014 election he won 56 per cent of the votes cast.
However, three years ago he narrowly held off the NDP’s Lise Vaugeois, besting her by just 773 votes, the closest campaign of his political career.
Vaugeois is one of at least two candidates seeking the NDP nomination, along with Legal Aid lawyer Joy Wakefield.
Thunder Bay At-large Coun. Peng You has already been named to run for the Conservatives. You swept into council with the highest vote total of any of the at-large candidates.
Gravelle last year, when touring Thunder Bay with newly elected Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, said he planned to run, but that was prior to the pandemic. The long-time MPP and former cabinet minister has had a series of health-related issues in recent years.
Gravelle is hopeful Del Duca can lead the party back to prominence. At present they hold just eight seats in the legislature, four shy of the number needed for official party status. The governing Conservatives raised that number from eight to 12. At the time the Liberals held seven seats.
“There’s no question that with a new leader we will have whole different perspective on things. A number of policies will be coming forward in the next little while that will show we will govern if elected,” Gravelle said.
“Certainly, from my perspective, I want to make sure that we look after the North as much as we can, make sure that we’re cared for. That will be part of our Northern policy that we’ll be carrying forward.”
Gravelle acknowledged it’s going to be a tough campaign, regardless of who else is on the slate.
“I’m going to have some tough opponents, but I’m up for that. All campaigns are very difficult and very challenging and this one will be no different.”
