Craig Scott, Osgoode Hall Law School professor and human rights activist, has won the NDP nomination in the race to fill Jack Layton’s Toronto-Danforth seat.

The beloved NDP leader died from cancer on Aug. 22.

Scott was elected at a meeting Monday to decide who will be on the ballot in the upcoming vote.

“There will be a byelection very soon and we will win it decisively for the name of and the memory of Jack Layton,” said Scott. “I will do my very very best to follow in his footsteps.”

Layton’s widow and Toronto MP Olivia Chow was in attendance at the east-end church off Gerrard St. E. near Broadview Ave., as were NDP leadership candidates Peggy Nash and Paul Dewar.

“I know the future of Toronto-Danforth is in very good hands,” Chow told the crowd of about 800, before the winner was announced.

In his speech prior to the vote, Scott referenced Layton’s work on social issues.

“I share this dedication to justice and fairness — to making a difference,” said Scott. “I feel a duty to serve.”

Also vying for the nomination were teacher and riding outreach worker Claire Prashaw, and environmental lawyer Justin Duncan.

Scott, a political neophyte who only recently renewed his NDP membership, was considered the front-runner in the race, after receiving high-profile endorsements from MPP Peter Tabuns and leadership candidate Brian Topp.

The race to replace Layton comes after the NDP’s historic win last May, vaulting them into Official Opposition for the first time.

Layton had easily won the riding since 2004, capturing 60 per cent of the vote in last May’s federal election. Before that, the seat was held by Liberal Dennis Mills who was first elected in 1988.

The Liberals are now engaged in their own nomination race. Former Liberal candidate Andrew Lang, who earned 18 per cent of the vote last election, has said he is no longer running.

No names have been released but Liberal riding president Amiel Blajchman said paperwork is being processed and candidates will likely be announced within the next two weeks.

A Conservative party spokesman said the party will hold a nomination meeting “in due course.” He also cast doubt on an easy win for the NDP.

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“Though this was Jack Layton’s seat, it is a traditional Liberal seat and as governments rarely win byelections we believe this is the Liberals to lose,” said Conservative spokesman Fred DeLorey.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has until Feb. 26 to call the byelection date. Layton’s successor as NDP leader will be decided at a March 24 convention in Toronto.