Conservative incumbent Lewis re-elected in Essex

Liberals to form minority government

Joined by wife Allison and grandson Levi, Conservative candidate Chris Lewis cuts the cake at his victory party Monday night in Essex (above). This will be his third term as MP. Lewis hugs his father Kim after walking into the Michigan Diner (right).

The Conservative candidate for Essex had a smile on his face despite the fact his party returns as Official Opposition instead of forming government.

Chris Lewis won his third federal election in the riding and will return as the Member of Parliament for Essex after fending off three challengers Monday night (and into Tuesday morning). As of this writing, there were 277 of 278 polls reporting in the riding with 45,581votes (57.3 per cent) siding with Lewis with Liberal candidate Chris Sutton having 29,087 votes (36.6 per cent).NDP candidate Lori Wightman had 4,044 votes (5.1 per cent) while People’s Party of Canada candidate Jason Henry had 834 votes (one per cent).

Lewis and his Conservative colleagues, including two new ones locally, will have to work within a Liberal minority government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“I know the people in Essex can celebrate tonight because you have someone who will go back and get the job done,” he said at his victory party.

Lewis was introduced by his father Kim as someone who loves and cares for people, with Kim stating they are proud of Chris for representing the riding for another term. Lewis thanked his father and his late mother Helen, as well as his wife Allison, their children and grandchildren and the entire team that worked with him during the election.

Referencing the large number of signs throughout the riding, Lewis indicated they knew things were going well during the campaign.

“Essex turned pretty darn blue,” he said. “I know signs don’t vote but they do tell the tale.”

Lewis entered the room at the Michigan Diner in Essex, joking that he wasn’t injured this year.

“No bubble wrap,” he quipped to supporters, in reference to previous election day accidents in the past.

A more serious Lewis said he was pleased to be chosen by the voters again in 2025.

“It’s the greatest honour of my life to serve the people.”

Lewis pledged to keep working for the people of Essex, and congratulated the other candidates. He said it was a civil campaign locally. He added he can’t wait to get back to Ottawa.

“I will do it with dignity and humility and with a bounce in my step and a smile on my face,” Lewis said. “I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

Lewis said he was proud of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, saying he “stands firmly behind” his leader.

“He’s worked tirelessly,” said Lewis. “He cares about Essex. He cares about Windsor.”

Cost of living was the big issue Lewis said he heard at doorsteps. He believed there was a large faction of youth voters as many of them noted they can’t afford their own homes.

“We’re going to continue to pressure the government to remove the carbon tax and take it off of everything,” he said.

Tariffs were a bigger concern for businesses both small and large, including tool and die, mould making and the auto industry. 

“For the most part, I heard about the cost of living,” he added.

Lewis wouldn’t call it a “bittersweet” night, noting that although “it would have been sweet to form government,” all was not lost as the Conservatives still hold the Official Opposition status. He said it was “a unique election” in that there was the “complete collapse” of the NDP.

The re-elected Essex MP added he has shown he is capable of working with MPs from other parties and will continue to do so. 

Lewis was first elected in 2019, defeating NDP incumbent Tracey Ramsey. He followed up with a win in 2021, with Ramsey again finishing second.

Voter turnout in the Essex riding in 2025 was just shy of 72.45 per cent as of press time.

Conservative incumbent Lewis re-elected in Essex

By Ron Giofu