Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Matt Richter’s almost 12 years of hard work in the political trenches may be closer to paying off.

The affable — and down to earth (understandable and relatable) — Green candidate is running in next week’s second place in the Parry Sound-Muskoka election.

That’s according to the latest (and only public) poll out on the riding, released two days ago on May 29..

Oracle Research (with offices in Yorkville in Toronto and Elm Street in Sudbury) has him behind incumbent Tory Norm Miller; and ahead of the NDP’s Erin Horavath, Liberal Brenda Rhodes. Independent Jeff Mole did not register.

“The Green Party is currently polling in second place, according to Oraclepoll Research’s recently released poll,” boasts a Green Party release Thursday afternoon.

It says 20 per cent of voters have yet to decide who they will vote for locally.

“In Parry Sound-Muskoka, the election will be decided by these voters,” it states.

Miller leads with almost 40 per cent of voter support; Richter has about 25 per cent; Horvath just a little less than that; and Rhodes is polling about half of Richter at 12.5 per cent.

“Now is the time more than ever to vote for true change,” says the Green release.

“If you are one of those voters who have said, ‘I want to vote for Matt but …’ consider the growing surge of Green Party supporters — your vote will make a difference.”

“Many people at the door have shared with our campaign volunteers and me that in this election they clearly know who they can’t vote for. Now they know who they can vote for,” says Richter in the release.

After 11 years and 4 elections, voters have come to know Richter, the Greens say. He has earned their respect for his tireless work on local issues. This is the reason why he has a large team of committed people working hard to share the message that Green votes matter.

While voters often listen to the provincial polls, the fact is Parry Sound -Muskoka is different, it goes on. Richter had the highest percentage of votes of any Green candidate in the province in the last election. This riding could be on the brink of making history and sending the first green voice to Queen’s Park.

“It is clear from these results that there is growing momentum among the citizens of Parry Sound-Muskoka for a better way of doing politics, placing honesty and integrity ahead of partisan gain.

“From now until election day, our riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka has positioned itself to make Ontario political history, and elect a Green MPP to Queen’s Park.

“While most people are voting Green because of Richter and the core values of the Green Party, many more will now see this option as the best opportunity to take a seat away from a Doug Ford majority.”

*The poll was produced by Oraclepoll Research. Released on May 29, it has a sample size of 300 with a margin or error of +/-5.6%.

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