After a closely fought contest, a Leamington farmer will carry the banner for the federal Conservatives in Chatham-Kent-Leamington.

Dave Epp came out on top in a field of four candidates at Club Lentinas in Chatham on Saturday. A vote was also held the previous night in Tilbury, with more than 1,000 people casting a ballot in total.

After he was announced as the winner, an emotional Epp told The Daily News he had mixed emotions.

“(I’m) honoured by the support I’ve received and really, really looking forward to working with this group,” he said. “Look at the energy that this riding has put forward from all four candidates.”

Epp, 56, is president of Lycoland Farms in Leamington and has a long involvement with the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers.

Others seeking the nomination included business owner Mike Grail, business owner and finance coach Toyin Crandell, and current Chatham-Kent councillor David VanDamme.

There was a ranked ballot, but detailed results weren’t divulged, in accordance with party policy. The tallying of the votes wasn’t finished until late afternoon Saturday.

With the federal election slated for the fall of next year, Epp said he’s excited to work with the Conservative team and listen to the needs of residents.

“Right now, my priority is to say thank you,” he said. “Thank you to the organizing committee, my supporters, and to the people of Chatham-Kent-Leamington.

Earlier in the day, the candidates gave short speeches of their vision for not only the riding, but Canada as a whole.

Epp said he plans to put into practice the lessons he learned on the farm, such as the value of hard work, commitment and service.

“This riding has made me into the person that I am,” he said. “It is who I am. This is home.

“I want to do it because these values, your values, are my values.”

He added his experience in business and raising a family have taught him what is needed to balance a budget.

Four-term Conservative MP Dave Van Kesteren, who is not seeking re-election in the riding, called the vote a “great exercise in democracy” given the calibre of those seeking the nomination.

“We’re all so proud of you,” he said. “It’s remarkable. We’re just so thankful.

“We will make sure that this riding stays a Conservative riding.”

tterfloth@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/DailyNewsTT