Scott Aitchison is officially looking to be the next federal Conservative candidate for Parry Sound-Muskoka.
The Huntsville mayor launched his campaign on social media this morning. Aitchison had previously said he’d only run in the upcoming federal election if current MP Tony Clement decided not to.
Clement has been the MP since 2006 and for most of that time was a member of the Conservative party. He was asked to resign from the caucus by leader Andrew Scheer last November in the wake of a sexting and extortion scandal and now sits as an independent. He announced earlier this month that he would not run in October.
If Aitchison were to win the nomination he would be allowed to remain as Huntsville’s mayor. However, if he were to be elected MP, he’d have to step down from that role. That could then lead to a by-election in Huntsville.
So far Aitchison’s competition for the nomination is Meghan Shannon. No one else has yet thrown their hat into the ring.
The local Conservative riding association has yet to set a date and location for its nomination meeting. The federal election is scheduled for October 21st.