SARNIA, Ont. - For Sarnia mother Susan Fentie, the provincial election on Oct. 4 is a personal campaign.

Fentie is among a growing number of people in Ontario chasing a party nomination nine months before the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty goes back to voters.

She says she has been spurred into activism by a broken promise that deeply affected her family.

Fentie and her husband, Dan, have two autistic children. They say they are disappointed by the McGuinty government's failure to deliver on a campaign vow to bring autism therapy to elementary schools.

"This definitely affects my family with his broken promise to my kids,'' said the registered nurse, who is also unhappy with McGuinty's fixes to the health-care system and environmental issues.

Fentie, who took part in 24 protest rallies across Ontario, is seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination in Sarnia-Lambton.

Fentie is among three or four people considering a run for the PCs in the riding.

Association president Rose Hodgson said a candidate search committee is working to prepare a nomination meeting expected in February or March.

Ontario PC president Blair McCreadie said nomination meetings will be held once riding associations meet financial and membership goals. The party has retired its $10-million debt from the last election and is building up its coffers for the next.