Teenage MPP wins race to be PC candidate in 2018

GRIMSBY, Ont. — The youngest-ever member of Ontario’s legislature emerged victorious Tuesday night in a nomination battle, securing his spot representing the Progressive Conservatives in next year’s provincial election.
Sam Oosterhoff, 19, beat a challenger for his riding’s nomination to be the candidate for the June 2018 vote.
The teen was first elected Nov. 17 in a byelection in a Niagara-area riding, previously held by former party leader Tim Hudak.
He won that nomination by defeating party president Rick Dykstra and regional councillor Tony Quirk — who ran against Oosterhoff again Tuesday in the new Niagara West riding.
Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown had backed Oosterhoff, as he is supporting all of his caucus members in any contested nomination battles. The party is trying to secure a full slate of candidates well ahead of the election.
Oosterhoff landed at the legislature making waves not only for being so young, but also for espousing social conservative views at a time when Brown is trying to brand the Tories as inclusive and socially progressive.
Anti-abortion group Campaign Life Coalition endorsed Oosterhoff for the nomination, writing in a statement that they worked hard to get him elected and need his social conservative voice at the legislature.
“He’s stood by his principles as a pro-life/pro-family MPP despite pressure to conform to the liberal-progressive culture of death,” the group said.
The coalition also previously endorsed Quirk as representing their values, but now they are not so sure, citing local media interviews he has done as “cause for concern.”
Oosterhoff wrote on Twitter of the endorsement that, “It’s great to be part of a big-tent party!”
Oosterhoff has declared he is “100 per cent pro life,” campaigned against the Liberals’ updated sex-ed curriculum, and opposed a new law that gives more rights to same-sex parents. He was sworn in the day after a vote on that law, avoiding a potential clash with his brand new caucus, but since then has mostly flown under the radar at the legislature.
Brown publicly split with social conservative elements of the party after he flip-flopped on a pledge to repeal the new sex-education curriculum.
He expressed displeasure that caucus member Monte McNaughton continues to court sex-ed opponents, another doesn’t believe in evolution, and a third was sent for sensitivity training after making misogynistic “jokes.”
PC deputy leader Steve Clark said there’s no truth to Campaign Life’s assertion that Quirk’s bid was a “party establishment” attempt to oust Oosterhoff. Brown has been clear on where the party stands on social issues, and that hasn’t been what Oosterhoff has focused on at the legislature, Clark added.
“What I’ve seen in his time here is he’s stood up for his community — the first day he was here he stood up for health care in his riding,” he said.
“I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
The Tories pointed out that several Liberal backbenchers have “green light” endorsements from Campaign Life, such as Joe Dickson, Lou Rinaldi and Mario Sergio.