New Liberal hopeful reaches to the past
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The more things change, the more they stay the same is a truism of many areas of life, including politics.
As the Ontario Liberal Party seeks a new leader, the candidate claiming to be the fresh new face of Ontario politics has reached back to get the help of the old guard.
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Kate Graham, an academic from London, Ont., has taken on Pat Sorbara as a senior campaign advisor and has also received help from former premier Kathleen Wynne, who — according to several sources — has been making calls on Graham’s behalf.
The news would seem to go against Graham’s stated goal for running, “because she wants to change how we do politics in our party, and in our province.”
Sorbara was one of Wynne’s top political aides during her time as premier and even faced charges in the Sudbury by-election scandal. The charges were eventually dismissed.
On audio recordings with a former candidate, Sorbara could be heard offering full-time or part-time jobs or appointments if the candidate would step down.
Asked why she would bring someone like Sorbara on to her team when it goes against her branding, Graham said it’s part of her campaign plan.
“Our campaign is a blend of people who are stepping up for the first time and people who have a long experience in politics,” Graham said.
She pointed to her campaign manager, George Roter, an engineer and tech worker who has led teams around the world. Most of her campaign is made up of people like Roter, she added.
“They are people who are getting involved for the first time,” Graham said.
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She added that Sorbara has sat down with her team to offer advice twice so far.
Sorbara is an accomplished campaigner who has held top positions in the federal and provincial Liberal parties. She was key to Wynne’s victory as premier and her time in office.
She can also be a polarizing figure for some in the party who bristle at her style.
Graham is third in terms of fundraising within the Liberal Party leadership race both.
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