Kitchener-Conestoga: 2-term MPP seeks to keep his seat in Ontario election

A cabinet minister and two-term MPP will seek to retain his seat in Kitchener-Conestoga in this Ontario election.

The candidates in Kitchener-Conestoga are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Patrick Doucette, Ontario Party.
• Joe Gowing, Liberal.
• Mike Harris, Progressive Conservatives (incumbent).
• Jim Karahalios, New Blue.
• Jodi Szimanski, NDP.
• Brayden Wagenaar, Green.

Patrick Doucette, the Ontario Party candidate, is a former real estate broker who lives in Elmira. The party's motto is "freedom, family and faith" and was started by former Conservative MP Derek Sloan. He has previously run for the People's Party of Canada in the 2021 federal election.

Joe Gowing, the Liberal candidate, is a banker and former small business owner. He's also a former Waterloo Catholic District School Board trustee. He was the Liberal candidate in this riding in 2018.

Mike Harris is the incumbent and a member of the Progressive Conservatives. He first won the seat in the 2018 general election, then again in the 2022 election. In June 2024, he was named the Minister of Red Tape Reduction.

Jim Karahalios is a lawyer who co-founded the New Blue Party with his wife, Belinda, when she was an MPP. He is the leader of the party and ran in the Kitchener-Conestoga riding under the party's banner in the 2022 election.

Jodi Szimanski works in the co-op program at the University of Waterloo as the associate director of communications, engagement and digital experience.

Brayden Wagenaar started his own production company in 2019 and works as an executive director with Current Media.

Riding history

The riding of Kitchener-Conestoga has existed since 2007.

The first Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding was Liberal Leeanna Pendergast. She lost to PC candidate Michael Harris in 2011.

Michael Harris served the riding until he was removed from the PC caucus in April 2018. 

In 2018, Mike Harris Jr., son of former premier Mike Harris Sr., ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate. He won in 2018 and 2022.

Michael Harris and Mike Harris Jr. are not related.