After a loss to Kathleen Wynne in the Ontario Liberal leadership race, Sandra Pupatello says she plans on returning to the private sector, but she won't specify whether or not she's done with politics.
Pupatello was second with 866, compared to 1,150 for Wynne after Saturday’s final vote.
“I loved every minute of it,” says Pupatello, 50, a former Windsor West MPP. “We had the guys on the run, and Kathleen and I were leading it from the beginning.”
Pupatello says she spent her time Sunday thanking her volunteers, some of whom quit their jobs in hopes of seeing her elected.
She says Windsorites shouldn’t worry that a Toronto MPP is the premier elect.
"Windsor's always going to do well," she says.
Not everyone is convinced.
“I am concerned,” says David Musyj, CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital. “It’s very helpful to get our issues heard. It may not have worked but at least we were heard.”
For a long time Windsor had two voices at the cabinet table. Now that Pupatello is out and Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Dwight Duncan says he won't seek re-election, Musjy fears local requests or problems will be stalled or overlooked.
Political science professor Cheryl Collier says projects like the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway were approved quickly because the cabinet was made up of powerful Windsorites.
“Without it then we're going to see a difference and it will be negative difference,” says Collier.
Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis too is disappointed the hometown favourite didn't win. But Wynne will be able to recall the legislature faster and he says that is good for Windsor.
In the short-term, Pupatello plans on catching up with family, since she spent so much time away during the campaign.
