AMHERST – It’s Judi Giroux.
The Cumberland North Progressive Conservative Association elected their MLA candidate last night at Amherst Regional High School. Also on the ballot was Amherst town councilor Robert Bird.
“Thank you so much, all of you,” said Giroux once the ballots were counted and the announcement made.
She thanked her opponent, spoke briefly and then cued the music: We Rise Again, by the Rankins.
Giroux had a clear set of priorities should she be elected and sent to Halifax.
“The debt – we need to tackle the debt and the taxes.”
She said the most rewarding part of the job would be being able to help solve people’s problems.
“I care about this community and I want the very best for all of us.”
Jamie Baillie, provincial party leader and MLA for Cumberland South, spoke while ballots were being counted.
“You work for them,” said Baillie. That was the reminder he said he’d give the winning candidate: represent the people first.
The MLA accused Cumberland North’s current MLA, Brian Skabar – from the NDP – of choosing his party over his riding, and said a Cumberland North Progressive Conservative MLA would be “right there beside me” if Baillie was elected premier.
In comments offered during voting, Baillie said a good MLA has three qualities: they represent their area well, they’re in it for the right reasons – serving people – and they can win.
“I’m just so excited that we have two candidates that meet all three criteria.”
Esther Boyd was in the crowd as a supporter of Giroux. She spoke prior to the announcement of the winner.
“Judi sees the big picture.”
Boyd said Giroux is the hardest working volunteer she’s met. She said the campaign was “a lot of fun.”
Giroux works in the office of MP Scott Armstrong. She is president of the United Way of Cumberland County, chair of the Cumberland YMCA, and president of the Amherst Lionness Club.
The vote tally was not announced.
esparling@amherstdaily.com
What's the matter? You afraid she's gonna show the ol' boy's club how to do a better job?