Ontario election 2025: Who's running where in southwestern Ontario
CBC will keep you updated as candidates confirm
As Ontarians prepare to head to the polls on Feb. 27, political parties are racing to confirm their candidates for the upcoming election.
CBC Windsor will help you stay informed by keeping on top of each local riding, its candidates, and what they are up to.
The Progressive Conservatives have come into the election with a full slate of candidates ready to go and a call for voters to give them a new and enlarged mandate to steer the province through the uncertainty and potential economic devastation brought by U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs.
In the Windsor-Essex area, that means they'll be targeting the riding of Windsor West, currently held by NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky, the lone non-PC MPP in the region.
But the opposition parties have accused Ford of using the tariff issue to distract from his record on health care, education, long-term care and housing, issues where they say he's failing Ontarians.
And critics have said Ford is wasting nearly $200 million on an election that could have gone toward social programs.
The NDP, Liberals and Greens all have yet to confirm a full slate of candidates in southwestern Ontario.
Here's a full list of who's running so far. This list will be updated as candidates announce.
Windsor West
This riding — home to the University of Windsor, the Ambassador Bridge the soon-to-be-open Gordie Howe bridge — has been represented by the NDP's Lisa Gretzky since 2014. But the PCs have indicated they would like to win it away from her and sweep the region. They have nominated Tony Francis to go after the seat.
The following candidates have so far announced they will run in Windsor West.
- Lisa Gretzky - NDP (incumbent)
- Tony Francis - Progressive Conservative
- Joshua Griffin - New Blue Party
Windsor-Tecumseh
The Feb. 27 election will mark a rematch between incumbent PC candidate Andrew Dowie, a former Tecumseh town councillor who won the seat in 2022, and the NDP's Gemma Grey-Hall, who placed a distant second in that race. So far, they are the only two confirmed candidates in the riding.
- Andrew Dowie - Progressive Conservative (incumbent)
- Gemma Grey-Hall - NDP
Essex
Former Amherstburg deputy mayor Anthony Leardi won this riding for the PCs in 2022 after NDP MPP Taras Natyshak announced he would not seek re-election. This time around, Rachael Mills will try to win it back for the NDP. The Liberals have yet to confirm a candidate in the riding, which consists of LaSalle, Lakeshore, Kingsville, Amherstburg and Essex.
The following candidates have so far announced they will run in Essex.
- Anthony Leardi - Progressive Conservative (incumbent)
- Rachael Mills - NDP
- Kevin Linfield - None of the Above Direct Democratic Party
Chatham-Kent-Leamington
Leamington includes Chatham-Kent, Leamington, Lakeshore and the Township of Pelee. Trevor Jones won this riding for the PCs in 2022 after previously serving as a Leamington town councillor. So far, he is the only major party candidate to be confirmed in the riding for the Feb. 27 election.
- Trevor Jones - Progressive Conservative (incumbent)
Sarnia-Lambton
Sarnia-Lambton, which includes Sarnia, Petrolia, Point Edward, Plympton-Wyoming, Enniskillen, St. Clair and Oil Springs, has been held by the PC's Bob Bailey since 2007.
- Bob Bailey - Progressive Conservative (incumbent)
- Keith Benn - New Blue Party
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
PC candidate Steve Pinsonneault has represented this large, rural riding for less than a year after winning it in a May 2024 by-election following the resignation of former Tory cabinet minister Monte McNaughton. He will face off against Liberal Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, who placed a distant second in the previous race.
The following candidates have so far announced they will run in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
- Steve Pinsonneault - Progressive Conservative (incumbent)
- Cathy Burghardt-Jesson - Liberal
- Dean Eve - None of the Above Democratic Party
