Conservative defector Eve Adams is closing in on the Liberal nomination in Eglinton—Lawrence, sources say.

Liberal insiders say Adams has now sold almost as many party memberships as Marco Mendicino for a nomination that the Grits will not call until she has opened up a significant lead.

Thanks to Liberal campaign whiz Tom Allison — key architect of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s 2013 provincial leadership win — she now has around 900 members supporting her compared with about 950 for Mendicino.

Adams has also received a key endorsement from the influential president of the Eglinton—Lawrence Liberal riding association.

“We are in the middle of a nomination contest that demonstrates that Liberals in Eglinton—Lawrence are inspired by Justin Trudeau’s vision for Canada, his engaging leadership and the prospect of leading this country forward after almost a decade of the cynicism that characterizes the current government,” Rocco Piccininno said in an email to the Star.

“In this race one candidate represents the vision and intentions of our leader and his desire to return Eglinton—Lawrence to the Liberal team and form government after the next election,” he said.

“It is not of glancing importance to ensure that our riding is aligned with the strategic goals of the party in focusing on what is most important — offering Canadians a fresh new compassionate government.”

To that end Piccininno — a long-time supporter of former Liberal MP Joe Volpe, who is staying neutral in the nomination battle — urged Grits to rally around Trudeau’s chosen candidate.

“I declare my support for Eve Adams, the next candidate for Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party, and the next member of parliament for Eglinton—Lawrence.”

Adams, who currently represents Mississauga—Brampton South, crossed the floor to the Liberals in February then parachuted into Eglinton—Lawrence in hopes of toppling Tory Finance Minister Joe Oliver in the election expected on Oct. 19.

She had previously been barred for running for the Conservatives in Oakville—North Burlington over allegations of misconduct by her — which she denies — in that suburban nomination race.

But Adams has been a divisive figure in Eglinton—Lawrence with veteran local Liberal MPP Mike Colle calling her candidacy “preposterous.”

“It’s a real insult to the local Liberals in this community,” Colle, who is backing Mendicino, said in February.

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