Michael Harris (politician)
Michael Harris | |
---|---|
| |
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga | |
In office October 6, 2011 – June 7, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Leeanna Pendergast |
Succeeded by | Mike Harris Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born |
Mount Forest, Ontario | May 10, 1979
Political party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Progressive Conservative (prior to 2018) |
Residence | Kitchener, Ontario |
Alma mater |
Conestoga College University of Guelph (MA) |
Occupation | Salesman |
Michael D. Harris[1] (born May 10, 1979) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who has represented the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga from 2011 to 2018. He sat as a member of the Progressive Conservative caucus until April 9, 2018 and as an Independent for his last months in office.[2]
Background
Harris was raised on a farm near Mount Forest, Ontario.[3] He worked in the sales department at Honeywell in Waterloo before being elected as MPP for Kitchener—Conestoga in 2011. He now lives in Kitchener with his family.[4]
On October 22, 2017, Harris graduated from the University of Guelph with a Master of Arts.[5]
Provincial Politics
In the 2007 provincial election, Harris ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga. He was defeated by Liberal Leeanna Pendergast by about 1,500 votes.[6] In the 2011 provincial election he ran against Pendergast again, this time defeating her by 3,700 votes.[4][7][8] He was re-elected in the 2014 provincial election defeating Liberal candidate Wayne Wright by 1,794 votes.[9]
Harris previously served as the PC critic of Transportation and Innovation until Doug Ford became leader.[10] In addition, Harris was seen as the best fundraiser within the party, before his removal from caucus.[10]
On Saturday, April 7, Harris announced he would not be seeking re-election due to health issues.[11][12] On Monday, April 9, Harris' wife, Sarah Harris, announced she would be seeking the nomination in his place.[2]
Shortly following his wife's announcement, Harris was removed from caucus and it was announced that he was removed as a PC candidate on April 6 due to sexual misconduct allegations that occurred in 2012. It occurred before he was married.[2][10] On May 1, 2018, it was reported that MPP Toby Barrett disputed claims by PC leader Doug Ford Jr. that the PC nomination committee unanimously removed Harris as a PC candidate.[10] On May 16, 2018, The Waterloo Region Record released the texts between Harris and the intern. His wife believed that the reaction to these text were over blown.[13]
Harris is not related to Mike Harris Jr., the son of former Ontario premier Mike Harris[14], who succeeded him as the PC candidate for the Kitchener—Conestoga riding and won election on June 7, 2018.[15]
Municipal Politics
On July 24, 2018, it was reported that Harris announced his candidacy for Waterloo Regional Council.[16]
References
- ↑ https://www.kitchener.ca/en/city-services/list-of-candidates.aspx
- 1 2 3 "Ontario PC party removes Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris from caucus". CBC News. April 9, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ↑ Benzie, Robert; Ferguson, Rob (November 21, 2011). "Rookie MPPs poised to take their seats as legislature opens". The Guelph Mercury. p. B7.
- 1 2 "Two new local Tory MPPs say they're fighting for families". The Waterloo Record. October 7, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Michaelharrispc/status/922125762328657920
- ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 10, 2007. p. 7 (xvi). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2009. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 6, 2011. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ↑ "Harris unseats Pendergast". The Waterloo Record. October 7, 2011.
- ↑ "General Election by District: Kitchener—Conestoga". Elections Ontario. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 "What really happened to Michael Harris?". The Record. May 2, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ↑ "Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris won't run for re-election". 570 News. April 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ↑ "Tory MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga won't run for re-election due to eye condition". CBC News. April 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ↑ Mercer, Greg (2018-05-16). "Texts that sank Tory MPP Michael Harris revealed". TheRecord.com. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
- ↑ Jeff Outhit and Catherine Thompson, "Mike Harris Jr. wins in Kitchener-Conestoga, taking riding previously held by Michael Harris". Waterloo Region Record, June 7, 2018.
- ↑ Greg Mercer, "The complicated candidate". Waterloo Region Record, June 4, 2018.
- ↑ https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8760445-harris-eyes-political-comeback/