If you receive a knock on your door tonight, it may be Chris Scott, the new local candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
Hand picked by Doug Ford instead of by the party faithful in Sault Ste. Marie, Scott has worked in the Sault with former MPP Ross Romano, who was off the job as of earlier today.
Scott also spent the last two years working in Ford’s office.
Romano, who will be Scott’s campaign manager, has faith the 34-year-old will get the job done in this election campaign, which starts tomorrow.
“He’s been with me in Sault Ste. Marie for the last eight years,” Romano said on Tuesday night.
“Ever since I got involved in provincial politics, I’ve been working hand in hand with Chris. I’ll tell you - he’s probably knocked on more doors in Sault Ste. Marie than any person in Sault Ste. Marie, quite frankly,” he said.
Romano said Scott is extremely familiar with the Sault.
“He’s worked with me on behalf of the Sault. He’s worked in my constituency office. He worked as my chief of staff in ministry offices.
“He’s been delivering for the people of Sault Ste. Marie for a long time, and had a great deal of success in that role.
“Even most recently he’s been working in the premier’s office for the last two years,” Romano said.
Scott, who is originally from Kemptville, which is near Brockville, “left after university and ended up making his way to the Sault where he’s been now for quite some time,” Romano said.
He said Scott is not a parachute candidate, someone dropped into a riding to try to win an election even though they are not from that area.
“He’s been here for quite some time now, but as I said - right now the focus is that we are on a campaign here in Sault Ste. Marie, fighting for the people of Sault Ste. Marie who he’s been delivering for over the last eight years.”
On LinkedIn, Scott describes himself as an “experienced public policy and communications executive with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry.”
His profile includes that he graduated from Carleton University with a bachelor of arts in political science and government.
While other PC candidates have links on the party's official website that provide biographical information about them and opportunities to donate, as of Tuesday night Scott has neither.
Romano said Scott is out right now, knocking on doors.
“We are working hard; he’s working hard. He’ll probably see you at your door really soon.”
Scott will host a meet and greet on Saturday at the campaign office, although the time has not been determined yet.
Ontarians head to the polls on Feb. 27.