Chris Lewis launches Conservative campaign in Essex

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Flanked by fellow area Conservative running mates, Chris Lewis opened his Essex campaign office on Talbot Street in the town of Essex on Wednesday. 

Lewis, the member of Parliament for the riding since 2019, is looking for his third straight win in the April 28 federal election. 

“We’re going to make sure we’re building … affordable housing,” Lewis told supporters packed into his campaign office.  “We’re going to support small- and medium-sized businesses because, quite frankly, without small- and medium-sized businesses, you have nothing.  

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“You can’t support a social program if you don’t have a taxpayer, and you don’t have a taxpayer unless you have businesses. So we’re going to be the common-sense Conservatives. The same ones that that you know and love.” 

Chatham-Kent—Leamington Conservative candidate David Epp and Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore candidate Mark McKenzie joined Lewis for the campaign office opening. 

“Friends, this is never about me. It’s never been about me. It’s about Essex and it’s about Canada,” Lewis said. “It’s about our generation today, but truthfully, what it’s really about is future generations.”

He quipped about why the Conservatives have yet to reveal their full party platform. 

“People have said to me along the way, ‘So why don’t you put your platform out?’” said Lewis. “Well, we all know the answer why. Because the moment you do, what happens, Dave?” he said, turning to Epp. 

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 “Carney,” Epp relied. “Is he running for the Liberals or Conservatives?”  

“I think he’s a Conservative,” Lewis continued. “The policy points are all ours, right?

“So they love to steal our ideas, because they don’t have their own ideas.”

Promising to run an “incredibly positive campaign,” Lewis stressed he is a strong supporter of party Leader Pierre Poilievre, saying he will create a bright future for his grandson. “I trust Levi’s future with Pierre Poilievre.

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be in front of you today, and because I’ve watched him, because we’ve had a friendship.” 

Also in the riding of Essex, Chris Sutton has announced he’s running for the Liberals; Lori Wightman is the candidate for the NDP; and Jason Henry is running for the People’s Party of Canada. 

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