Essa Township’s mayor is now the Conservative candidate for Simcoe-Grey.

Terry Dowdall was selected as the successor to Dr. Kellie Leitch as the Conservative standard-bearer in the 2019 federal election campaign in Simcoe-Grey.

His victory over three other candidates — Collingwood obstetrician Dr. Gillian Yeates, New Tecumseth councillor Marc Biss, and Collingwood’s Tim Bulmer — was announced after a day of voting at Stayner Collegiate, March 24.

The riding association did not release vote results. Sources indicate Dowdall won on the third and final ballot over Yeates.

Dowdall said he will now work alongside Leitch, learning the ropes of Ottawa. Leitch — already facing a challenge from Dowdall and Yeates — announced several weeks ago she would not run for re-election in order to go back to medicine full-time, sparking a nomination contest.

“I’m certainly connecting in the communities to know what’s needed here, but certainly I can (use) some help on the Ottawa side,” he said. “I’m lucky to have a sitting MP for a year-and-a-half to mentor me on some of those things.”

Dowdall said he felt it was his experience that put him over the top on Saturday.

“I have a track record as mayor and deputy warden, and I ran a positive campaign, and I think that’s what people enjoyed.”