Ken Lewenza considering run for Ward 7 council seat in Windsor

Heavyweight labour leader Ken Lewenza is contemplating running for the Ward 7 council seat vacated by Irek Kusmiercyzk who has moved on to represent Windsor-Tecumseh federally.

"We are having exploratory conversations," said Lewenza.

Lewenza spent two hours meeting with labour officials who are members of the local Guardian board Monday afternoon including Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy, Local 2458 president Tulio DiPonti and former Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) official Gary Parent.

Lewenza said the meeting focused on the importance of strengthening the community and not on labour issues.

"How do we build a committed, generous community built on what we've done in the past but do better," said Lewenza.

Lewenza said labour officials approached him to run and are urging him to throw his hat in the ring.

"Colleagues, and friends and people in the community have reached out to me and I'm taking it seriously," said Lewenza.

"I've sat with Ken in the last couple of weeks and had some discussion with him on trying to encourage him to run," said Cassidy.

Windsor Ward 8 Coun. Gary Kaschak said he always thought Lewenza would enter politics, adding that he's not surprised to hear that Lewenza is considering running for city council. 

"I really thought he would run to be a member of provincial Parliament or a member of federal Parliament," said Kaschak, who explained that he didn't learn about Lewenza's plan to possibly run until about 5 p.m. on Monday, while listening to the news.

"But if city council's his wish, then so be it. I wish him luck."

Kaschak said that he believes there will be lots of competition to fill the currently vacant Ward 7 seat. 

"It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out," he said. 

Four candidates are currently seeking the Ward 7 spot. They are Igor Dzaic, Barbara Holland, Greg Lemay and Michael Malott.

Dzaic is a University of Windsor economics student and an administrator who said he is a member of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Holland served as chair for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board and was also a trustee.

Lemay is a small business owner who ran unsuccessfully in 2018 for the Ward 8 councillor position. 

Malott is a labour activist and Chrysler worker. 

Lewenza said he will take three or four days to consult with people in the ward and others before making a firm commitment. 

He has until March 13 to register as a candidate for the April 27 ward election.

Their are currently four other declared candidates.