Stephen McCotter, St. Marys municipal councillor and area lawyer, will be running for a seat in the federal legislature as the Liberal candidate for Perth-Wellington.
McCotter announced last week he had been confirmed by the Liberal Party as a “green lit” candidate and can now seek nomination.
In August, McCotter announced he would not run for mayor of St. Marys or seek re-election to council. Instead, he is aiming to be a standing candidate in the 2015 federal election.
McCotter has lived and worked in St. Marys all his life and considers Perth-Wellington “a place of community and opportunity.”
His decision to enter federal politics is driven by a number of decisions made in Ottawa over the past 10 years, which he feels, have had a negative impact on the towns and communities in Perth-Wellington.
In particular, he cites the phasing out of home mail delivery, uncertainty and increased foreign competition for local farmers, the disappearance of a vast number of well-paying jobs, cuts to local VIA Rail service, and declining financial support for the arts.
McCotter, 42, is a life-long resident of St. Marys and graduate of the University of Western Ontario (Finance and Economics). After graduation, McCotter returned to St. Marys and spent fifteen years running Westover Inn. In 2005, McCotter returned to the University of Western Ontario, earning a law degree with a concentration in tax law.
McCotter, was elected to St. Marys town council in 2010 and bases his law practice in St. Marys, working with clients throughout Perth-Wellington. During his term on council, McCotter was the Chair of the Administration and Finance Committee, a member of both the Planning Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Committee, and was selected as the council representative for Medical Professional Recruitment and Retention.
McCotter has started his campaign online at www.stephenmccotter.com and in the weeks ahead will be visiting the towns and communities in Perth-Wellington to introduce himself and speak with voters about their concerns.
