Colter Simmonds carries NDP flag in Preston by election

The Nova Scotia NDP is turning into a familiar face in its quest to win the upcoming Preston midterm elections.

Colter Simmonds, who ran for the party in the last provincial election, was announced as the NDP candidate at an event on Wednesday night.

“I’m not a quitter,” Simmonds said in an interview. “I just want another chance to serve my community and voters within the driving range.”

Simmonds won 28 percent of the vote in 2021, just behind Tory candidate Archy Beals’ 29 percent. Liberal candidate Angela Simmonds won the seat. She resigned in April, prompting the need for a by-election.

Colter Simmonds, a well-known community advocate and basketball coach, said key issues in the district include the need for more mental health services, cost-of-living pressures and gun violence. Even after the last election, people came to him with community concerns, something Simmonds said encouraged him to run again.

“I just realized I have a strong voice and the community is watching me and I have their respect. I don’t shy away from a challenge, so here I am trying to do it again this time and win this time.”

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NDP leader Claudia Chender said Simmonds is a recognized mentor to young people and represents a generation of people in Preston who are tired of the status quo.

“I think Colter is a candidate who understands and connects to these issues and in any political contest, that’s what you want,” Chender said in an interview.

“You want someone who is connected to their community, who can speak for them and with them, and who is respected. And so we’re very pleased to have found a candidate that fits that bill.”

Simmonds said he sees the MLA’s role as an extension of the advocacy work he’s done over the years.

“I’m known for it, it’s what I’ve done and I want to continue it with a real seat at the table to make some decisions and put pressure to provide more for the Preston riding.”

A date for the midterm election has yet to be set. Prime Minister Tim Houston must call the midterm elections on October 1.

The Liberals announced Carlo Simmins as their candidate last month. The Tories have not yet named a candidate for the by-election.

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