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The Coalition Avenir Québec has bagged a prominent former federal MP and federalist as its candidate in the Eastern Townships riding of Richmond.

CAQ leader François Legault is expected to announce Monday that André Bachand, the Progressive-Conservative MP for the riding of Richmond-Arthabaska from 1997 to 2003, will run for the provincial party in the October general election.

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Legault is to make it official at a news conference in the riding, officials said Friday.

The CAQ believes Richmond, a traditional Liberal fortress, could swing its way with a candidate like Bachand. The riding is represented by Karine Vallières, who recently announced she will not seek re-election because she wants to spend more time with her family.

Her father, Yvon Vallières, was the MNA for the riding from 1981 to 2012 before retiring.

Bachand is well known in the region. He was mayor of Asbestos from 1986 to 1997.