Home News Local News Voter turnout low as PC Lahey wins York-Simcoe by-election

Voter turnout low as PC Lahey wins York-Simcoe by-election

September 4, 2026

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By Mike Anderson

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was on hand to congratulate PC Susan Lahey on her win in Thursday’s provincial by-election in York-Simcoe.

“Tonight, Ontario voters in York-Simcoe and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek elected two strong local representatives who will protect Ontario, stand up for workers and families and keep our province moving forward,” said Ford in a media release.

“I want to congratulate Susan and Jeff on their victories and thank every volunteer and supporter who worked so hard to elect them.”

“These results are a strong vote of confidence in our plan to protect Ontario. At a time when President Trump’s tariffs are threatening our workers and economy, people want a government that will stand up for Ontario, keep costs down, build the infrastructure our growing communities need and do whatever it takes to protect our workers and jobs.”

Despite a low voter turnout of only 21 percent, Lahey retained the seat for the PCs and won her first term as MPP. However, Liberal Naomi Davison mounted a strong challenge, increasing the Liberals’ share of the vote from 30 percent in the previous election to 38.7 percent.

Results show Lahey with 11,491 votes (49.8 percent), with Davison second with 8,942 votes. NDP candidate Bobby Nikmard placed third, while Green candidate Matt Pearce received 642 votes.

Lahey was appointed by Ford as the candidate for York-Simcoe on June 17, after Caroline Mulroney resigned her seat earlier in the month.

Although Davison was second, she was pleased to build Liberal support in the riding and pointed out that more than 50 percent of voters did not vote PC.

“I don’t want anybody to tell me again this is a conservative riding,” she told her supporters at an election-night event at the Sharon House Tap & Kitchen in East Gwillimbury.

However, while Liberal support increased, the York-Simcoe riding has been firmly PC since it was established in 2007, with Julia Munro and Mulroney winning back-to-back elections.

The York-Simcoe contest was one of three Ontario by-elections held Thursday. Progressive Conservatives also retained Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, while the NDP held Scarborough Southwest.