Pupatello to announce return to politics

Sandra Pupatello is returning to politics — this time at the federal level. She will be seeking the Windsor West federal Liberal nomination this week.

First elected to the Ontario legislature in 1995, Pupatello served four terms in office taking on various cabinet roles including deputy premier. She chose not to run for re-election in 2011 but returned to the political arena in 2013, losing to Kathleen Wynne for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party.

In June, Pupatello told CBC she wasn't "ruling out" another run. 

Pupatello represented Windsor West provincially. After leaving politics, she served as the CEO of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation and on Hydro One's board of directors.

A campaign kick off is expected Friday at 4 p.m. at the Fogolar Furlan Club in Windsor.

If successful in earning the nomination from the Liberal party, Pupatello will face incumbent MP Brian Masse of the NDP and Conservative candidate Henry Lau, among others.

Windsor's political community reacts

"They'll have a candidate and whether it's Sandra or anyone else, we're focused on what we've accomplished. Until an election is called, we're focused on getting our work done and not giving up on our issues." — Brian Masse, NDP MP for Windsor West

"Together we can better explain the absolute ineffectiveness of having third-party NDP representatives. Windsor needs access [to the table] again." — Al Teshuba, president of the Windsor West Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) riding association

"I think it's great news for more people to come in here to fight for a better Windsor West, and I welcome her to join the race if she becomes a candidate." — Henry Lau, CPC candidate for Windsor West

"I am incredibly excited. I supported Sandra in her leadership run. I was there at the convention with her and along with several other Windsor delegates. I'm really happy to see her come back in and to see another strong woman enter the federal ring." — Remy Boulbol, former Liberal candidate and party supporter

"[It] certainly makes for an exciting race in Windsor West. I think that if Sandra didn't jump in, it looked like Brian Masse was going to win pretty handily. While I think he's probably still the favourite, I think this makes this an exciting race to watch." — Daniel Ablesser, Windsor West resident and lawyer

"The timing couldn't be worse for Sandra Pupatello because it's going to obviously raise questions about how she can support a prime minister who has been charged with ethics violations not just once but twice. And this second one by Commissioner Dionne has been particularly devastating, really showing that there was a lack of regard for rule of law. I think that voters will really have to say 'Well why is it that you think that this party should be re-elected given those serious concerns from within the party itself?'" — Lydia Miljan, associate professor of political science at the University of Windsor.