LINDSAY, Ont. - Rick Johnson says he is "deeply honoured" to be the Liberal candidate who will square off against Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory.
Johnson was nominated Monday for an upcoming byelection in the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock riding near Peterborough, Ont.
Johnson, a local school board chairman, lost his bid to win the riding in 1997 to Laurie Scott, who is stepping aside to let Tory seek the seat.
Three New Democrats -- Lynne Boldt, Lyn Edwards and Stephen Woof -- are each vying for their party's nomination.
Mike Schreiner will run for the Green party.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has six months to call a byelection, but has indicated he will move quickly to give Tory a chance to run for a seat.
At his nomination meeting, Johnson said the riding will be best served by someone with roots in the area.
The byelection, he said, will give voters a chance to send someone to the legislature "who is beside them at the local hockey rinks, shops and stores."
