THUNDER BAY – Don Rusnak is heading to Ottawa. The lawyer and political newcomer rode the red tide that swept across Canada Monday leading to a Liberal majority government, capturing a decisive victory in Thunder Bay-Rainy River and defeating NPD incumbent John Rafferty.
The victory for the 40-year-old Rusnak, along with fellow Liberal winner Patty Hajdu in Thunder Bay-Superior North, gives the city a voice in Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau’s government.
“I always thought Thunder Bay was a Liberal stronghold,” Rusnak said after he was declared the winner. “The message of Justin Trudeau has been a positive message of change and we campaigned on that.”
Rafferty, who been elected to the seat in 2008 and 2011, was seemingly the victim of an exodus from the NDP that reduced the party from Official Opposition status to third-place, emerging with about 40 seats, a sharp decline from the 103 won four years ago.
Rusnak captured 44.1 per cent of teh vote, outpolling Rafferty 18,523 to 12,439.
“Sometimes you get caught up in red sweeps or red tides,” Rafferty said. “It seemed to be a theme across the country Canadians decided they didn’t want Stephen Harper, and I heard that at every door, they decided placing their votes with the Liberals would be the way to go.”
Rusnak got a late start on the campaign trail, not officially joining the race as the Liberal candidate until June. He was the final candidate to be nominated in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.
His momentum seemed to parallel the national campaign, which started behind the NDP before picking up steam in the home stretch.
“We worked incredibly hard getting my name out there and perhaps the 78-day campaign helped,” he said of how he and his team made the most of their shorter push.
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The local Liberal campaign got a late boost of adrenaline this weekend when Trudeau made a brief stop in the city on Saturday.
“I think it was very positive for us in the riding. It was just electric when he was here,” Rusnak said. “It was an amazing event. The number (of people) was anywhere between 700 and 800.”
Conservative candidate Moe Comuzzi, who was the runner-up in 2011, had a third-place showing with 21.1 per cent of the vote, well back at 8,876.
She didn’t want to speculate about whether an anti-Harper movement across the country ended the Conservative reign after nearly 10 years.
“The outcome is what the outcome is,” she said. “You can’t change that but tomorrow morning we’re going to wake up with a Liberal government and we remember Pierre Elliott. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Liberal government and God bless us. I don’t agree with their policies.”
The Green Party’s Christy Radbourne was fourth with 2,201 votes (5.2 per cent).
Rusnak said he will be taking what he heard while canvassing and talking to constituents with him to the House of Commons.
“What we’ve been hearing at the door is jobs and taxes. I think the saddest stories are the seniors who have to make the choice between paying their taxes or buying food, so essentially leaving their home and that shouldn’t be happening,” he said.
“Hopefully our infrastructure plan can help the cities reduce their tax burden by paying more of the costs of keeping cities running with sewers, water and roads so cities don’t have to pay that price fully. The federal government should be more of a priority there.”
Thunder Bay-Rainy River results
Don Rusnak, Liberal: 18,523
John Rafferty, NDP: 12,439
Moe Comuzzi: Conservative: 8,876
Christy Radbourne, Green: 2,201
FINAL
