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Dunlop putting his name in the hat

Former Simcoe North MPP vying to become PC candidate in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte
2018-01-29 dunlop.jpg
Garfield Dunlop

Garfield Dunlop has picked up his nomination papers.

Following Thursday’s announcement that the Progressive Conservative Party would not allow Patrick Brown to be its candidate in the June 7 provincial election, Dunlop could possibly become the new PC candidate in the Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte riding.

“I don’t know if I’ll be selected or not,” Dunlop said Friday morning. “There will have to be a nomination meeting or (PC Party leader) Doug Ford could appoint someone.”

Brown, who had been chosen locally as the PC candidate for the riding, bowed out of the race Thursday night.

The PC Party’s provincial nominations committee decided unanimously on Thursday that Brown would not be an eligible candidate for nomination in the Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte riding.

Brown stepped down as party leader in late January amid allegations of sexual misconduct. He has denied the allegations.

That created an opening for Dunlop to possibly get back into politics on the front lines.

“I’d been thinking about it for quite some time in case the party didn’t select Patrick, so I’ve been prepared,” Dunlop said.

Dunlop had been working closely with Brown as an advisor before being fired by the party in January amid the Brown scandal.

Dunlop served as MPP for Simcoe North from 1999 until he stepped aside in 2015 to allow Brown to run in a byelection in the north-end riding.

His daughter, Jill Dunlop, is the PC candidate in Simcoe North.