Orillia lawyer Doug Downey said he was “surprised” when he was asked to be the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte.
“It wasn’t on my radar,” Downey told BarrieToday Sunday afternoon.
“I got a phone call and had a discussion about whether I was interested,” he said. “I gave it some thought, talked to my wife, talked to a bunch of people in the riding and, ultimately, decided it was a real opportunity to get down to Queen’s Park and make a difference.”
Downey has been a PC campaign organizer and insider for years; he helmed successful campaigns that helped MPP Garfield Dunlop and MP Bruce Stanton win elections in Simcoe North.
But last May, he lost his bid to represent that riding when he was defeated by Jill Dunlop by just 59 votes of the more than 1,700 ballots cast in the nomination contest.
While disappointed, he continued to work behind the scenes for the party and helped Christine Elliott’s campaign as she sought to become the party’s leader. Ultimately, she finished second in a very tight race with Doug Ford.
So, it surprised some that Ford, as part of 11 appointments announced Saturday, appointed Downey to be the candidate in the new-look riding south of Orillia.
“He wasn’t part of the conversation when I was considering (the appointment),” said Downey. “I take it as a compliment that they asked me. To me, (Ford) is a non-issue. We’re going to have a big tent. If you look at the range of candidates, there’s going to be some vigorous debate … and that’s a good thing.”
He said he has not talked to Ford directly. “I haven’t had any discussion about the big tent, but those who know me know that I am going to represent the local people, I will say what I think and have vigorous discussion as things come up.”
Downey, who characterizes himself as a moderate and a fiscal conservative, said he is “thrilled” to carry the PC banner and believes he has a solid shot at victory. His main competitor is expected to be Liberal candidate Jeff Kerk, who will likely be acclaimed this week.
“I’m very confident,” Downey said. “If I do my job, get out there and talk to people, if the support on social media and private messages I have received is any indication, we’re in very good shape.”
He said he is ready for what will be a sprint to the finish line.
“As of today, there are 46 days until election day,” said Downey. “We’re in the process of putting together our campaign team. I will be meeting with the riding association board tomorrow night. We’re moving fast.”
He said that speed is why the party chose to make appointments in 11 ridings rather than hold nomination contests.
“Everybody would prefer a nomination process, but there isn’t time,” said Downey. “We can spend our resources internally running nominations, but, obviously it’s been decided they want us to spend our time holding the Liberals to account.”
About three weeks ago, in the wake of Patrick Brown’s ouster as party leader and, subsequently, the party’s decision that he could not stand for election in this riding, Garfield Dunlop filed his nomination papers to run in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte.
He told OrilliaMatters that Ford perceived him as a Brown ally. He said he only chose to run to help the party, respects the decision and will now concentrate his efforts on helping his daughter’s election campaign in Simcoe North.
For Downey, the June 7 election is a chance to realize a long-held goal.
“It’s something I want and something I want to do well,” said Downey, a former Orillia city councillor. “I love making change. I’ve been involved in policy process for decades. I would love to be on the other side of the table and have an opportunity to make a difference.”
