The provincial election is coming up this week, here are your candidates for Essex

First row, left to right: Brigitte Belton (Source: New Blue Party of Ontario), Anthony Leardi (Source: Anthony Leardi), Rachael Mills (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor), William Szabo Verboc (Source: William Szabo Verboc/YouTube) Second row, left to right: Stephen Higgins (Source: Green Party of Ontario), Tamara Stomp (Source: Ontario Liberal Party), Travis Jacques (Source: Ontario Party/Facebook), Kevin Linfield (Source: None Of The Above Party)

In the riding of Essex, eight candidates are vying to become the Member of Provincial Parliament in the Ontario election on Feb. 27.

In 2022, candidates competed for a vacant seat after NDP representative Taras Natyshak retired from politics.

Anthony Leardi flipped Essex from orange to blue, securing 51.1 per cent of the vote. Voter turnout in the riding was 47.2 per cent that year.

This marked the first time that Essex had been represented by a Conservative MP since the riding was reconfigured in 1999.

Here is a list of all candidates running to be Essex MP in the 2025 provincial election:

Anthony Leardi (Progressive Conservative Party)

Anthony Leardi is an experienced lawyer, former Deputy Mayor of Amherstburg, and federal prosecutor, the Ontario PC Party website reads.

The party also highlights Leardi’s community involvement with organizations such as the Essex County Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic and the Essex County Library Board.

Known for his calm demeanor and referred to locally as a “voice of reason,” the Ontario PCs said, Leardi resides in Amherstburg with his wife Jackie and their three children.

Tamara Stomp (Ontario Liberal Party)

According to the Ontario Liberal Party, Tamara Stomp is a dedicated leader with extensive experience in law, municipal governance, and community advocacy.

Highlighted on the party’s website are her accomplishments in improving healthcare, strengthening the economy, and ensuring communities have necessary resources.

Stomp, who has deep roots in Essex County, promises to bring principled leadership and integrity to Queen’s Park.

Rachael Mills (Ontario New Democratic Party)

Rachael Mills has deep roots in Essex County and emphasizes a strong economy, quality public services, and affordable living, according to the Ontario NDP website.

The party highlights her activism on equity, environmental stewardship, and her commitment to affordable housing as a member of the Affordable Housing Task Force.

Mills, who lives in Harrow with her partner, Greg, is described as passionate about building a better future for Essex.

Stephen Higgins (Green Party of Ontario)

Longtime Kingsville resident Stephen Higgins is characterized by the Ontario Greens as a dedicated local business owner committed to sustainable growth, farmland preservation, and improved healthcare.

The party quotes Higgins emphasizing the need for an independent voice representing Essex’s priorities, including better access to healthcare and preservation of local farmland.

Kevin Linfield (None of the Above Direct Democracy Party)

Frustrated by current provincial and federal politicians, Kevin Linfield believes that elected representatives should prioritize constituents over party policies, as outlined on the None of the Above Party website.

Linfield, an aerospace engineer and avid outdoorsman living in Amherstburg, promises voters he’ll make decisions based on the community’s best interests, advocating for truly independent representation.

Brigitte Belton (New Blue Party of Ontario)

The New Blue Party website introduces Brigitte Belton as a Wallaceburg truck driver who participated in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests.

Belton previously ran under Derek Sloan’s Ontario Party but now aligns herself with New Blue, seeking transparency and integrity in provincial politics after becoming disillusioned with her former party.

Travis Jacques (Ontario Party)

In comments made during a video posted to the Ontario Party’s Facebook page on February 8, 2025, Travis Jacques says voters have “been lied to by the establishment” and that he’s determined to create real, positive change.

Jacques highlights his aim to build not only solutions for current issues but a lasting legacy for the future.

William Szabo Verzoc (Independent)

Independent candidate William Szabo Verzoc expressed deep frustration with the provincial party system and accused Essex’s current Progressive Conservative MPP of discrimination against individuals with disabilities in a video posted to his personal YouTube channel on February 18, 2025.

Verzoc advocates returning political power to citizens, pledging respectful, inclusive, and community-oriented representation.